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Skye Bank, EFCC charges frivolous, bogus- First Nation
…‘We owe no bank a dime’, repaid N3.1m in full settlement
First Nation Airways has again clarified that it does not owe any banking institution (local or abroad) and disputed in good faith any indebtedness to Skyebank Plc.
The airline in a statement signed by its media officer, Ademola Daniel and made available to the media stated, “We will vigorously defend our innocence with respect to the charges and are confident that we will obtain justice from the court”.
Daniel described the charges of fraud and stealing preferred against its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kayode Odukoya by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) based on the false and dubious petition by Skyebank Plc as “bogus and without basis and targeted to impugn our integrity and we will vigorously defend ourselves in court’.
He further stated that it would amount to subjudice to elaborately speak on the matter since it is in court.
His words, ‘we wish to clarify and correct, malicious misrepresentations made against us to the media. Although the charge was filed as far back as December 11th 2017, the EFCC did not inform either Mr. Odukoya or First Nation of its existence even though Firstnation and Mr. Odukoya in good faith continued to visit EFCC offices on December 16th 2017, February 6th and March 13th 2018’.
‘At the same time, the wrong impression was being created in court, that Mr. Odukoya was avoiding arraignment. FirstNation only learnt of the charges through social media on March 9th 2018’.
‘On becoming aware of the charges through the social media, Mr. Kayode Odukoya voluntarily visited the EFCC on March 13th 2018 at 10 am and was subsequently detained despite the fact that he was already on administrative bail. Given the fact that the charge had already been filed, he should then have been immediately served with same to allow him effectively defend the action. Instead, Mr. Odukoya was only served with the charge on Thursday March 16th and arraigned on Friday, March 17, 2018, well outside the 48 hours required by law’.
The airline has consistently maintained it is not indebted to any financial institution both in Nigeria and overseas.
He explained that in the course of its ordinary business, Firstnation Airways has normal banking and credit relationship with Skye bank, stressing that it is common knowledge that the aviation industry is capital intensive.
“The Bank advanced us credit facilities. It is pertinent to clarify that Mr. Odukoya took no personal loan from the Bank and his relevance here is solely in his capacity as the CEO of FirstNation”.
Daniel disclosed that Firstnation has repaid a total sum of N3.1 Billion in full settlement of both interest and principal due on the credit facilities, decrying the attitude of the Bank which he said has continued to ‘wrongly’ allege that the company was still indebted to it.
His words, “In this regard, we approached the Bank for discussions, seeking
“In addition, it revealed that the Bank applied several excesses, arbitrary charges including and accounts manipulation. The forensic report was forwarded to the bank with revised copies, as the account manipulation continued till date”, he added.
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