Heritage Bank has issued a statement denying media reports that it suspended its executive director, Mary Akpobome, for fraudulently approving some loans.
Mrs Akpobome is the wife of popular comedian, Ali Baba.
The bank, which has consistently denied allegation of financial distress, said neither Akpobome nor any other member of its board of management has engaged in any fraud whatsoever.
“Financial institutions have credit policies governing its processes and management. These policies are designed and enforced to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the entire credit chain,” the bank said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Heritage Bank has never been controlled by any one individual or “powerful” individual(s) as deceitfully stated by Sahara Reporters. Heritage Bank is a legal entity, and like any other public liability company, is managed by an efficient Management and Board accountable to all its stakeholders.”
The bank said its finds what it calls the insistent and vehement attacks particularly by Sahara Reporters “appalling, malicious, unprofessional and unethical”.
Ali Baba, who had earlier promised to speak on the matter only after the bank makes its position known, posted the company’s statement on Instagram.
Having started her banking career in 1991, previously worked at Citizens International Bank (now Enterprise Bank) and BankPHB (now Keystone Bank).
She got married to Ali Baba in 2006.
