The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has requested that all banks in the country furnish it with the statements of domiciliary accounts of some high-profile individuals.
In a directive issued on September 15 and signed by Z. Markus for the director of banking supervision, the apex bank requested for the statements of dociliary accounts of Adebutu Kessington, a businessman popularly referred to as Baba Ijebu and the founder of Premier Lotto; Akin Alabi, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ona-Ara/Egbeda federal constituency and founder of Nairabet; Adebisi Adebutu, Ajibola Adebutu, Olanipekun Adebutu, Olusegun Adebutu, Mauro Ripamonti, Charbel Chidiac, Oludamilare Alabi, Oluwafemi Babalola, Adetayo Adesanwo and Byron Powell.
The directive reads, “You are required to furnish us with the domiciliary account statements (Excel and PDF formats) of the under listed individuals, including the domiciliary accounts linked to them by bank verification number, BVN. The statements should cover the period, January 1, 2013, to July 31, 2020.”
This request was coming on the heels of the instruction from the banker’s bank to commercial banks to place a post-no-debit instruction on the accounts of 38 companies, including betting companies, bureau de change companies and some logistics companies.
The affected companies were accused of forex infractions, moving forex abroad without the required authorisation and “economic sabotage.”
Premier Lotto Limited, owned by Adebutu Kessington, was one of the affected companies.