The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reacted to claims by Union Bank and Bankers Warehouse Limited that the $2.8m (N1.02bn) seized by its operatives from two men at the Enugu airport on Friday was legitimate.
Union Bank had said moving money in such a manner was not illegal and was routine.
The Bankers Warehouse Limited, which moved the funds on behalf of Union Bank, said in a letter addressed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that it did nothing illegal and asked the apex bank to compel the EFCC to release the money.
“Despite this information, the EFCC insisted on detaining our employees, taking possession of our goods and threatening to confiscate the currency without making themselves available to our senior managers or other agencies familiar with our movement,” the letter read in part.
The acting EFCC Spokesman Tony Orilade however said the commission invited officials of the bank but they refused to show up.
He said investigations were still on and the outcome of the probe would determine the agency’s next line of action.
“The bank refused to honour invitation from the time of the arrest until we had to go out with the story. That was when they suddenly realised they need to honour the invitation.
“Be that as it may, a thorough investigation has to be carried out as to the source and legitimacy of the money because we are not unaware that some financial institutions are being used to launder money,” Mr Orilade said.
