Worried about potential customer panic and large withdrawal of funds, the management of Heritage Bank has denied report that it is next in line for a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) takeover.
The bank also threatened to take action against those bearing what it described as unfounded rumours about it.
Online news platform, Sahara Reporters, had tweeted on Monday that the fledging bank, led by Ifie Sekibo, will follow in the footstep of Skye Bank which board was sacked over liquidity issues.
“This is falsehood and at best reckless journalism meant to destroy the emerging bank. For the avoidance of doubt, the Central Bank of Nigeria has no such plan towards the bank,” the bank said in a statement.
Apart from Sekibo, others that will be swept away in the event of a CBN takeover are Chairman, Akinsola Akinfemiwa; and Executive Directors, Mary Akpobome, Niyi Adeseun, Adaeze Udensi, Ola Olabinjo and Jude Monye.
Non-executive Directors Tony Madojemu, Adetola A. Atekoja, Jani Ibrahim, Yinka Omorogbe, Francesco Cuzzocrea and Oladele Oyelola may also lose their sit in the case of such eventuality.
The bank has therefore called on its customers and the general public “to disregard the wicked misinformation, clearly borne out of the imagination of the mischief makers and continue enjoying the excellent service the bank is rendering to its growing clientele.”
It said it will not also sit back and allow its hard earned reputation to be tarnished on the pages of an irresponsible blog.
“The bank will also leave no stone unturned to ensure that those peddling unfounded rumours and speculations are brought to book,” it concluded.
