CBN, FirstBank disown Azimo

Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and First Bank of Nigeria Limited have both dissociated themselves from Azimo which claims to offer global money transfer services.

The CBN in a disclaimer on Wednesday by its acting spokesman Osita Nwanisobi also disowned Transfer Wise, saying they were unauthorised to act as International Money Transfer Operators.

The CBN said: “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to the activities of Messrs. Azimo and Messrs. Transfer Wise, both of which are purportedly transacting business, albeit unauthorised, as International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs).

“The Bank wishes to notify the general public that neither Messrs. Azimo nor Messrs. Transfer Wise is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate as an International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO).

“The Public is therefore advised to beware of the activities of Messrs. Azimo and Messrs. Transfer Wise and desist from patronizing the companies forthwith. Anyone who patronizes the unregistered companies, does so at his or her own risk.”

FirstBank in its disclaimer also warned the public to desist from transacting with Azimo.

“We disclaim the listing of FirstBank as one of the receiving or paying Banks on Azimo.com by Azimo Limited, offering Global Money Transfer Services. FirstBank has no affiliation with Azimo and hereby publicly disassociates itself from it.

“Azimo is not a registered Money Transfer Service with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as such, not licensed in Nigeria. Anyone who transacts with Azimo is therefore doing so at his/her peril,” the bank said.