ACCESS BANK REFUTES GMD'S ARREST CLAIM THAT HAD GAINED TRACTION.

Much as the news had gone near viral about the arrest of the hardworking Herbert Wigwe who is the GMD of Nigeria's current biggest financial institution after it had merged with Diamond Bank to now become a banking powerhouse now known as Access Bank Plc, the bank has had come out to vehemently refute the claim of arrest, that it is very very far from the truth.

All of last week and even till this weekend, the news has gone about that the EFCC had arrested Herbert Wigwe. Much as we had tried to get clarification from the right quarters about the supposed arrest, the bank had only subtly said the arrest claim was not entirely true, but even with that, the story had refused to go to sleep, not until the bank had to now officially send out a statement, especially to the Nigerian Stock Exchange to powerfully refute the claim.

See the official statement above signed by the bank's Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi.

See the statement sent to the NSE here -

Our attention has been drawn to a trending report on social media regarding the alleged arrest of Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc (Access Bank) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (“the Commission”).

We wish to state that the issue essentially relates to the credit facilities that were availed Slok Nigeria Limited (“Slok”) by the defunct Diamond Bank plc (“Diamond”) and which were secured by Slok’s assets charged to Diamond. Access Bank had inherited the Slok credit following the recent merger of Diamond with Access Bank.

Given the differing interest of the Commission and the Bank on the assets of Slok deriving from the court’s recent judgment on Slok, the Commission had invited for interrogation officials of Access Bank who were handling the Bank’s recovery efforts on Slok credit including its Group Managing Director.

Following fruitful engagement between the Bank and the Commission, we are of the opinion that the issues relating to Slok investigation have been resolved.

As an institution built on best practice, we wish to assure our esteemed stakeholders that the Bank will continue to conduct its business in line with extant laws and relations

Sunday Ekwochi

Company secretary

AISHAH AHMAD NEW CBN DEPUTY GOVERNOR DESIGNATE- A ROUND PEG IN A ROUND HOLE

All things being equal, the apex Nigerian bank known as the "Central Bank of Nigeria" has a new vibrant energy coming in who is being seen by all as the future of the CBN and it's none other than the young and brilliant banker by name "Aishah Ahmad", 40., CBN deputy governor designate.

Her appointment is being viewed by most, especially in the industry as an appointment well thought about and very well received too.

At 40, the Niger State indigene is described by those who should know her as "brilliant, vibrant, seasoned, well experienced and vivacious" all in one, in fact she's addressed as beauty with brain.

Imagine that she's already had more than "20 years experience" in "retail, consumer banking and wealth management". Infact she's garnered very valuable experience over the years at such institutions like NAL Bank, Stanbic IBTC & Zenith Bank just to mention a few and she's currently an "Executive Director, Head of Consumer & Privilege Banking at Diamond Bank PLC".

Aishah has an intimidating portfolio, managing over ₦500 billion and helping to maintain performance at 250 branch locations across the country.

She joined Diamond Bank in 2014 as a DGM before now becoming an ED. While at Stanbic IBTC she was head, High Networth Individuals and Head, Private Client Services.
Mrs. Ahmad holds a B.Sc in Account from the University of Abuja. An MBA in finance from the UNILAG, MSc Finance and Management, Cranfield School of Management (UK). She's a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst and holds the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst 'CFA' designation.

She's the current Chairperson of "WIMBIZ", which is "Women in Management, Business and Public Service". By her appointment by the FG which is still subject to confirmation by the Senate, she's replacing Mrs. Sarah Alade from Kwara State who resigned in March of 2017.

Aishah Ahmad was born October 26, 1976 so would be clocking 41 in a few weeks. She's married with 2 kids to Bri. Gen. Abdallah A. Ahmad. 

15 YEARS & COUNTING FOR FOLAKE FOLARIN COKER'S TIFFANY AMBER

IFEOMA WILLIAMS

GENEVIEVE NNAJI

EKU EDEWOR

NOBLE IGWE OF NOBS 360

TOKE MAKINWA

OMOTOLA JALADE EKEINDE

ELOHOR AISIEN

How time flies!!! Just a decade plus 5 jolly years ago, November 1998 to be more precise, one of Nigeria's top fashion brand emerged on the scene, known to the world as Tiffany Amber, and owned by the gorgeous daughter of the Parakoyi of Ibadanland- Chief Bode Akindele of the Modandola Group fame, in the person of Folake Folarin Coker.

What emerged on the scene then like a bolt outta the blue as a fashion brand, as since become an award winning Nigerian/African global brand, that has become a household name amongst those who understands fashion & style and those who appreciates excellence. Tiffany Amber, when it came on the scene 15 years ago, was the first fashion brand to take the bull by the horns, following in the footsteps of established international fashion brands, by coming out with a read-to-wear line that could match any of the international standard bearers.

Jumping forward all of 15 years now, those eventful years proudly flying the Nigerian flag at international fashion shows with much aplomb, garnering awards after awards on the way, it was a very monumental & joyous occasion to mark the 15 years very recently.

The fashion brand was joined by world renowned champagne brand Laurent Perrier & Cointreau to celebrate making 15 years and moving forward.

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CUSTOMER SLAMS DIAMOND BANK PLC FOR FRAUD!!!

DR ALEX OTTI

Diamond Bank Plc seem to be in the eye of the storm aplenty this days. It's either staff members are alleging one thing or the other or there are cases of fraud. The latest is a case of alleged fraud against the bank by one of it's customers.

A Mr. Oluwamayowa Iseyemi has already instituted a case of fraud against the bank at the Osogbo High Court in Osun State. His case is centered on the allegation that Diamond Bank tampered with his account with his knowledge, consent and authority. 

And what the man wants for damages is a cool #25million Naira. Mr. Iseyemi has had a relationship with the bank through the branch in Osogbo, Osun State since 2008. In 2009 he applied for and got a loan of #3million Naira. The terms of the repayment agreement stipulated a 2 equal monthly installment payment plus 25% par annum interest and includes a management fee of 2% flat per quarter in outstanding facility amount payable upfront”. But midway through their agreement, the bank breached the contract with him and tampered with his account. 

Mr. Iseyemi alleges that he had already started repayment of the loan before the alleged infringements. Case is still in court as we speak and more unpalatable revelations are upcoming.

Dr ALEX OTTI GRP. MD DIAMOND BANK OPENS HOTEL

We were at the very beautiful boutique hotel a few days ago during the opening. Truth be told it's a fantastic looking place that many would love to stay at, apart from the fact that the 38 rooms/suites are very well appointed, there is this cosiness about it that would ultimately be their selling point and wait for it, it is very affordable. We were honored with a tour of the whole place, just 38 suites only and we fell in love with it.


At the elaborate opening on Friday, July 20, 2012,  we saw many of the movers and shakers of the society, mingling, networking, having chit-chats and generally back-slapping. Nkiru Anumudu came with her husband-Uncle Willie, we saw Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe looking as dapper as ever sitted in a corner, we saw the Chairman of Multi-Choice Nigeria Dewunmi Ogunsanya having chi-chat with friends, we saw Anselm Tabansi with a few friends discussing, the owner of the edifice known as Morning Side Suites, in the person of the Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank was up and about, we saw the editor of  ThisDay Style-Ruth Osime looking very gorgeous, we caught a glimpse of the new Creative Director of Miss Nigeria, Elohor Aisien greeting friends, others were Gbenga Sokefun, Uche Nnaji of Ouch! Omena Daniels of Bloke Magazine, Scott Igbene and very many others were in attendance. Apart from the fantastic rooms, we love that very cute pool at the side of the building.


Though the gorgeous Hotel is owned by Dr. Alex Otti, we hear the place is managed by Fahrenheit Hospitality Group, where Anselm Tabansi is the Managing Director. Judging from the little we could see at the opening, the place is sure going to be a big hit, nice place, good staffs and great food, located off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, it's just down the street next to the Globacom building on Ahmadu Bello. 

DR. ALEX OTTI

OBI EMELONYE DELIVERS LAST FLIGHT TO ABUJA

The award winning director and producer of one of the highest grossing Nollywood movies of 2011, The Mirror Boy, Obi Emenloye is back in the news with new flick, Last Flight to Abuja.

 After the critical acclaimed and commercial success of The Mirror Boy, Obi Emelonye who won the Creative Person of the Year Award by The Sun Newspaper embarked on the Last Flight To Abuja project, a movie which focused on the ills of our Aviation industry.

Fans’ favourite, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, the very firm, Jim Iyke, Hollywood and Nigerian actor, Hakeem Kae Kazeem, Jide Kosoko, Ali Nuhu, Anthony Monjaro, Celine Loader, Uru Eke and a host of others took part in the movie that has already opened in the UK cinemas.

The movie recently premiered at the Troxy Theater in London, with star actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Jim Iyke and others in attendance; the London premiere was dedicated to the memory of the victims of the June 3^rd air crashes with the name on the manifest replacing the end credit of the movie.

In a first of its kind in Nollywood, Last Flight to Abuja reveals extensively, the daring mid-air difficulties that stare most Nigerian commercial passengers in the face and how in this instance the fictitious Flamingo Airways plane is forced to make an emergency landing which leads to very devastating consequences.

The movie will premiere on Friday, August 3 in Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Lekki, and Lagos and will also be in cinemas across Nigeria on the same day.

The premiere is proudly sponsored by Diamond Bank.

Synopsis: A set of everyday Nigerian travellers’ board the last Flamingo Airways flight scheduled to fly from Lagos to Abuja on a fateful Friday night in 2006. The plane cruises at 30,000 feet, tranquil and on schedule. But like a bolt out of the blue, through a mixture of human error, technical failure and bad luck, the plane rapidly develops major faults that send it teetering on the brink of disaster. As the pilots fight with the controls of the stricken plane, a series of flashbacks unravel the twists, turns and leaps of fate that put each passenger on the fateful flight. Young lovers, an elderly couple, a corporate party, a sportsman on the threshold of greatness; all the passengers are caught up in the nightmare scenario and sense the final moments of their lives approaching.

For pictures, please visit The Facebook page www.facebook.com/lastflighttoabuja.

You can also visit the Twitter handle @lastflightfilm

OMOTOLA JALADE-EKEINDE

CELINE LOADER

PHILANDERING BOYFRIEND-ALI NUHU

THE FLIGHT CREW

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