Banking and Finance
ICPC Moves To Seize N1.3bn Kaduna Fund Hidden In Sterling Bank

Sterling Bank Limited has been indicted as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) seeks the temporary forfeiture of N1,373,180,510.07 Kaduna State fund allegedly hidden in the bank.
The fund is believed to have been diverted from the Kaduna Light Rail Project’s budget into the account of a private company.
Although the project was funded by the government of former Governor Nasir el-Rufai, it was never executed.
The commission reported tracing N1.373 billion to an account belonging to Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nig. Ltd.
The anti-graft agency stated that the money was “allegedly diverted into a private account.”
While a source confirmed a Joint Venture agreement between the Kaduna State Government and the company in 2016, the ICPC revealed that N11,099,579,455.14 was deposited into the company’s account between December 23, 2016, and January 17, 2017, before the company was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
According to ICPC findings, the company was registered with the CAC on the 10th of May, 2017.
ICPC made the revelations in a motion ex-parte before the Federal High Court, Kaduna Division on Friday February 14th, 2025.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the motion bordering on the activities of Kaduna State Government during the Nasir el-Rufai administration.
The ICPC wanted the forfeited cash which is currently in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to be returned to the Kaduna State Government for the use of the people of the state.The motion was brought pursuant to section 17(1), (2), (3), & (4) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act 2006, Section 48 (1), ), (2), & (3) (a) & (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, Sections 7, 8, 9, 10 11 and 12 of the proceeds of crime: (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 and Section 6 (6) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended)The ICPC asked for the following reliefs:
An order of this Honourable Court temporarily forfeiting the sum of N1,373,180,510.07 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Three Million, One Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Five Hundred and Ten Naira, Seven Kobo) being an amount allegedly diverted into a private account to wit: Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nig Ltd, and was recovered into the commission’s recovery account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria in the course of an ongoing investigation activity against officials of Kaduna State Government between 2015 and 2023.An order of this Honourable Court directing the Applicant to publish a notice in any two (2) national newspapers calling for persons whether human, juristic of artificial having interest in the moveable property to show cause in court why the aforesaid moveable property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
And for such further or other orders as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.In an affidavit in support through a Litigation Officer, Idris Abubakar, ICPC said it “received a petition against officials of Kaduna State Government under the administration of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. A copy of the petition is attached and marked as Exhibit ICPC 1.
“The commission, during preliminary investigation, retrieved relevant documents from Sterling Bank Limited relating to financial transactions involving Kaduna State Government.
“The commission’s investigators analysed the documents retrieved from Sterling Bank Limited and the analysis revealed the following:
“The Kaduna State Government had a purported joint venture agreement with the Respondent signed on 18th October, 2016. A copy of the joint venture agreement is hereby attached and marked as Exhibit ICPC 2.“The joint venture agreement was for the construction of light rail service for the State Government.
“Thereafter, Respondent opened a bank account with Sterling Bank Limited on the 15th day of December, 2016.“Prior to the opening of the bank account for Indo Kaduna Mrts JV Nigeria Limited, the company was not incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
“That following the opening of the account with the Sterling Bank Limited, former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, approved the lodgment of a total sum of N11,099,579,455.14 into Indo Kaduna Mrts JV Nigeria Limited account from various accounts of Kaduna State Government in different tranches into the Respondent’s account.
“Kaduna State Government began funding the account of Indo Kaduna Marts JV. Nigeria Limited with an initial deposit of N890,300,000 (Eight Hundred and Ninety Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) from the Kaduna State Single Treasury Account on the 23” day of December, 2016.“On the 10th day of January, 2017, the sum of N2,300,000,000.00 was received by Indo Kaduna Mris JV Nigeria Limited from the office of the Accountant General Kaduna State.“Subsequent deposits of N3,000,000,000.00 and N4,909,279,455.14 were made into the said account from Kaduna State through the office of the Accountant General of the state on the 17th day of January, 2017“That the N11,099,579,455.14 lodged into the Respondent’s account was dissipated before the formal registration of Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
“The total sum received into Indo Kaduna Mrts JV Nigeria Limited from Kaduna State Government accounts was N11,099,579,455.14. A copy of the account statement of Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited is hereby attached and marked as Exhibit ICPC 3.
“That the Respondent (Indo Kaduna Mrts JV Nigeria Limited) was formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission on the 10th day of May, 2017.
A copy of the incorporation documents is attached and marked as Exhibit [CPC 4.“The N11,099,579,455.14 was meant for the provision of light rail services for the use of the people of Kaduna and Nigerians in general.
“There was no such project executed by the Kaduna State Government as revealed in the course of investigation.”
ICPC said its investigation revealed further that
:▪Among the signatories to the account of the alleged unregistered company were officials of Kaduna State Government and the Indian representative of Skipper Nigeria Limited.
▪Sometime in January, 2017, the Group President of Skipper Nigeria Limited, one Jitender Sachdeva, (vide a letter dated the 17* day of January, 2017, instructed Sterling Bank Limited to fix the N11,099,579,455.14 in an interest-yielding account. A copy of the letter is hereby attached and marked as Exhibit ICPC 5.
▪The interest on the fixed deposit amounted to the sum of N326,823,818,68.▪Investigation also revealed that the interest on the fixed deposit was diverted to different accounts of Skipper Nigeria Limited domiciled with Sterling Bank Nigeria Limited. Copies of the said account statements are hereby attached and marked as Exhibits ICPC 6 & 6A respectively.
▪ On the 10th day of July, 2019, N10 billion was returned back to Kaduna State Government from Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited account with Sterling Bank Limited.
▪The balance of N1,046,300,000.00 was diverted in two (2) tranches of N890,300,000.00 and N156,000,000.00 to the account of GTA Engineering Nigeria Limited domiciled with Sterling Bank Limited and Access Bank Plc. Copies of the account statements of GTA Engineering Nigeria Limited of both banks are hereby attached and marked as Exhibits ICPC 7 & 7A respectively.
▪Investigation further revealed that GTA Engineering Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of Skipper Nigeria Limited.▪From investigation activities, no official of Kaduna State Government was a signatory to the bank accounts of Skipper Nigeria Limited and GTA Engineering Nigeria Limited except Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited.
▪ The alleged N1,046,300,000.00 transferred into accounts of GTA Engineering was tagged “payment for feasibility study” but investigation revealed that no such feasibility study was carried out.
▪The commission has recovered both the N1,046,300,000.00 transferred to GTA Engineering Limited accounts of Sterling Bank Limited and Access Bank Plc for the alleged feasibility study and the interest on the fixed deposit of the N11,099,579,455.14 from Sterling Bank Limited.
▪I know as a fact that the grant of this application will not affect the rights of any interested person to own property as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
▪ The diversion of the alleged sum has deprived the people of Kaduna State the benefits of rail transportation system the money was meant for.
▪ This application seeks the Honourable Court’s indulgence to repatriate the recovered sums back to Kaduna State Government to enable the Government channel the money to more people-oriented projects.
(S) The Witness
Banking and Finance
Wema Bank concludes Capital RaiseSecond tranche of ₦50 Billion Special Placement fully subscribed

……Bank further exceeds regulatory requirements.
LAGOS, NIGERIA – 17th October 2025 – Wema Bank PLC (Bloomberg: Wema NL) (“Wema” or “the Bank”) announces completion of its second tranche of N50billion capital raise.
• N50billion Special placement subscribed by 100%
• Total Qualifying Capital now N264billion; above N200bn threshold
• Bank further surpasses regulatory requirements for Commercial Bank with National Authorization
Lagos, Nigeria – October 15, 2025 — Wema Bank Plc is pleased to announce that it has received all requisite regulatory approvals for its ₦50 billion Private Placement capital raise. This is in addition to the earlier ₦150bn Rights Issue that was successfully completed in September 2025. The Bank now has a total of ₦264.87billion in qualifying capital, above the minimum requirement of N200bn for a Commercial Bank with National Authorization.
This development marks another significant milestone in the execution of the Bank’s capital management program aimed at fortifying its balance sheet, supporting future growth ambitions, and ensuring full compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) revised minimum capital requirements.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Moruf Oseni, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, stated:
“We are delighted to have received all necessary regulatory approvals for our ₦50 billion special placement. This marks another major step in our strategy to strengthen Wema Bank’s capital base, enhance liquidity, and position the institution to pursue emerging opportunities for sustained growth. We appreciate the continued confidence and support of our shareholders, regulators, and customers as we execute our growth agenda.”
The proceeds from this capital raise will be deployed to continue the acceleration of Wema Bank’s digital transformation drive, deepen penetration across retail, SME, and corporate segments, and enhance the Bank’s lending capacity to key productive sectors of the Nigerian economy. It will also support ongoing investments in technology, and human capital development — further strengthening operational efficiency and service excellence.
Wema Bank remains steadfast in its mission to deliver superior value to shareholders, empower customers through innovative financial solutions, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth and financial inclusion objectives.
Banking and Finance
Fela’s Afrobeat Rebellion Aligns with Ecobank’s Commitment to Promoting African Heritage

Lagos, October 13, 2025 – Ecobank Nigeria says the ongoing “Fela Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion” exhibition reflects its belief in the transformative power of art and culture to inspire change across Africa.
Speaking at the event, Omoboye Edu, Head of SME at Ecobank Nigeria, described the exhibition as one of the many ways the bank continues to promote African creativity and innovation.
“Hosting Afrobeat Rebellion at EPAC aligns with our mission to showcase the continent’s creative energy. We are proud to celebrate Fela’s legacy and the vibrant spirit of Afrobeat in a space that inspires dialogue, imagination, and progress,” she said.
She explained that the three-month exhibition, which celebrates the life, music, activism, and enduring influence of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, opened on October 12 and will run until December 28, 2025.
Beyond the music and memories, the exhibition speaks to Ecobank’s broader commitment to economic growth through the creative sector. By providing platforms like EPAC, the bank continues to nurture collaboration, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange, which are all vital to building a thriving creative economy in Africa.
At the opening ceremony, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu applauded Ecobank for its unwavering support of Nigeria’s creative industry. Represented by Mrs. Bukola Agbaminoja, CEO of the Lagos State Film & Video Censors Board, the Governor noted that Ecobank’s involvement in Afrobeat Rebellion reflects its long-standing dedication to nurturing the country’s artistic and cultural heritage.
“By hosting this exhibition, Ecobank reaffirms its belief in the power of art and culture to drive economic development. The bank understands that creativity is not just an expression of identity; it’s a force that can reshape communities, build industries, and spark innovation,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Nigeria, described Afrobeat Rebellion as an inspiring blend of cultural diplomacy and artistic reclamation, praising Ecobank and its partners for championing the project.
“Supporting this exhibition in Lagos reflects our belief that culture is a bridge between nations. It builds on the success of the earlier Paris edition, celebrating Franco-Nigerian collaboration and honouring Fela’s enduring legacy,” he noted.
Supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria, Ecobank, and other partners, the exhibition highlights Fela’s dual legacy, as a revolutionary musician and fearless political visionary.
The opening night came alive with performances by Ezra Collective, Seun Kuti and several others. These performances set the tone for a season of artistic exploration inspired by Fela’s Afrobeat revolution.
Other highlights of the three months exhibition include, the Talks — a thought-leadership series featuring Yeni Kuti, Prof. Oyeronke Oyewumi, Falana, Ade Bantu, Minna Salami, and Kadaria Ahmed — and Kalakuta Cinema, a film series curated by S16 Collective, showcasing films like Music is a Weapon, Mami Wata, Timbuktu, and Finding Fela.
For younger audiences, the Young Rebels’ Corner offers an engaging creative hub for children aged 6 to 15, with workshops such as the Rebel Scrapbook, Jam Station, and Anikulapo Design Workshop — nurturing a new generation of imaginative thinkers.
The programme also features Karatu Book Readings, Manifesto: The Weapon of the Future, Òrò Abamì Spoken Word Competition, and Dance for Freedom, a movement workshop by The Mud Art Company.
Open to the public, Afrobeat Rebellion invites visitors to experience Fela’s legacy not only as a musician but as a symbol of courage, creativity, and social change — reinforcing Ecobank’s belief that when art is empowered, society is transformed.
Banking and Finance
Fidelity Bags awards for Best Export and Trade Support and Innovation

L – R: Seye Otite, Media Relations Officer; Tolulope Rojaiye, Team Member, Brand & Communications Division; Meksley Nwagboh, Divisional Head, Brand & Communications; Stanley Amuchie, Executive Director/Chief Operations and Information Officer (all of Fidelity Bank Plc); Christopher Bajowa, President, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria; and Omonsegho Ibironke, Team Lead, Events and Business Promotions, Fidelity Bank Plc; at the BusinessDay Bank and Other Financial Institutions’(BAFI) Awards 2025 where Fidelity Bank bagged the awards for the Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year recently.
Fidelity Bank’s market leadership has been affirmed once again as the tier-one lender bagged double honours at the BusinessDay Bank and Other Financial Institutions’(BAFI) Awards 2025.
At the awards ceremony, which was held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday, 11 October 2025, Fidelity Bank was presented with the awards for the “Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance” and “Most Innovative Bank of the Year”.
Dedicating the Export and Trade Finance Award to its customers, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON, who was represented by the Executive Director/Chief Operations and Information Officer, Stanley Amuchie, said, “This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to promoting non-oil exports and supporting Nigerian businesses to compete globally through initiatives such as the Fidelity International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC) and the Export Management Programme (EMP).
“I dedicate this award to all our exporters who continue to showcase the best of Nigeria to the world, our loyal customers, and our partners for their steadfast support.”
The BAFI Awards is the benchmark of distinction for institutions in the Nigerian financial services sector. Now in its 12th year, the awards recognise and celebrate organisations that are excelling in the delivery of financial services in Nigeria. The award acknowledges organisations demonstrating leadership, vision and impact in driving Nigeria’s growth trajectory.
Fidelity Bank’s recent recognition is attributed to significant accomplishments over the past twelve months. Notable milestones include the inauguration of the first privately constructed onshore oil export terminal in Nigeria in fifty years at the Otakikpo Marginal Field, which was funded by Fidelity Bank and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last week. Additionally, the Bank launched the Fidelity SME Hub, a multipurpose facility designed to support small businesses through innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives.
Furthermore, Fidelity Bank organized the third edition of the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in September 2025. This event provided local businesses with opportunities to engage in deal rooms with U.S. buyers, including prominent retailers such as Walmart and Target, fostering potential partnerships.
“The innovation award is a special one for us as it validates our continued drive to enhance operational efficiency, elevate customer experience, and strengthen business performance. We sincerely appreciate BusinessDay Media for this recognition and reaffirm our commitment to introducing more impactful innovations that empower our customers and advance the Nigerian financial services industry”, commented Amuchie.
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