EFCC quizzes Access Bank MD, Herbert Wigwe

Access Bank MD Herbert Wigwe
Wigwe

Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, was on Friday quizzed by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Wigwe was picked up at the Bank’s head office on Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The reason for the questioning was not disclosed by both the EFCC and the bank as at press time.

Online news platform, Sahara Reporters reported an EFCC source disclosing that Wigwe was quizzed regarding funds laundered through the bank by officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

It stated that the source of some questionable funds located in the bank was also traced to former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The source disclosed that the Access Bank MD received $5 million that was routed through Zenith Bank.

Wigwe is the third bank MD to be picked up by the EFCC in the last two weeks.

The anti-graft agency, which has been carrying out investigations on alleged abuse of funds under the last administration, extended its search to the banking industry recently.

Others interrogated before him were Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, for allegedly receiving in cash $115 million into the bank’s coffers from Alison-Madueke.

Okonkwo was also allegedly personally given another cash of $26 million.

The bank has denied complicity in the issue, saying it reported the development to the appropriate authorities.

Following the development, the Executive Director, North, of the Bank, Balarabe Musa, has been named as acting MD.

Managing Director of Sterling Bank Plc, Yemi Adeola, was also quizzed by the EFCC during the week.