Atiku, Anenih, culture minister, others on fresh list of bank debtors

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday unveiled the list of about 616 Nigerians and firms that are indebted to five banks in Nigeria to the tune of about N450 billion.
The five banks are Unity Bank Plc, Equatorial Trust Bank, Wema Bank Plc, Spring Bank Plc, and Bank PHB Plc.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in August published the first list of those who are indebted to the five banks whose management were dissolved by the CBN. The banks are Union Bank, Oceanic Bank, FinBank, Intercontinental and Afribank.
Prominent names in the new list published yesterday are, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Otunba Johnson Oyewole Fasawe, Chief Kola Daisi, Femi Otedola, Chief Cletus Ibeto, Culture and Tourism Minister Adetokunbo Kayode and powerful ruling party chieftain, Anthony Anenih, among others.
According to the apex bank, as at October 5, 2009, 149 firms and individuals' non-performing loans in Bank PHB stood at N170 billion, while the non-performing loans for Spring Bank Plc stood at N95.6 billion. A total of 221 firms and individuals accounted for the debt.
The CBN also stated that Unity Bank Plc was exposed to non-performing loans to the tune of N36.6 billion by 120 firms and individuals., The CBN said the same list will be forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) any time from today.
The commission is expected on receipt of the list, to invite the affected individuals with a view to persuading them to settle their debts to the banks.
The non-performing loans for Wema Bank stood at about N102 billion with a list of 81 debtors, while the list of Equatorial Trust Bank loans defaulters stood at about N46.2 billion with 45 debtors.
The apex bank had restated its commitment to enthroning a sound banking system in the country.
To achieve this, it had promised to take the same steps it earlier took in the case of the first set of five banks whose management it (CBN) earlier removed.
Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is listed as an individual debtor to Spring Bank to the tune of N111,150,439.42; Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, is a director of three companies - Netlink Digital Television, Mofas Shipping Line Nigeria and Transvari Services Limited - which collectively owe over N9 billion; while Chief Tony Anenih and Osahon Asemota are listed as directors in Mettle Energy and Gas Limited that also owes Spring Bank over N2 billion.
Several firms in which Chief Cletus Ibeto is listed as director, including Ibeto Cement Company Limited and Ibeto Petrochemical Industries Limited, also owe about N4 billion to Spring Bank. The National Sports Lottery Limited, which has Chief Kola Daisi as chairman, owes the same bank over N7 billion.
Adetokunbo Kayode, the current Minister of Culture and Tourism, is listed as an individual debtor of Bank PHB to the tune of N110 million.
Conoil Plc., a firm known to be largely owned by businessman Otunb Mike Adenuga, with an authorised limit of N7.5 billion under Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB), had a balance as at June 30, 2009, of N19.866 billion. Adenuga is the only non-executive director of ETB removed in last week's last shake-up by the CBN at the bank. Another firm listed as BYSJ Project Account had an authorised limit of N5.7 billion, but a balance of N5.972 billion with the same bank.
Among visible names on the original publication that also appeared on yesterday's list are Peter Ololo, through the firm Petosan Oil and Gas Company Limited, which owes BankPHB N4.6 billion. Zenon Petroleum, which chairman is Femi Otedola, owes the bank over N5 billion
Also listed are three firms that have Arumemi Johnson, chairman of Arik Air as director. They are Ojemai Farms Limited, Ojemai Investment Company Limited and Rockson Engineering Limited and collectively owe BankPHB over N10 billion.
CBN, in the advertorial accompanying the first list had described the debtors as the largest and vowed to continue publishing the list of defaulters on an on-going basis.
The apex bank had said in that statement: "Following the recent regulatory action of the Central Bank of Nigeria on the five banks, it has become necessary to use this medium to request the following defaulting customers of the affected banks to pay without further delay, their indebtedness, failing which the banks will take appropriate legal actions to ensure repayment."