N4.5trn loan: AMCON partners EFCC, revisits banks, officials

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to take another at some banks and their officials that were instrumental to the abuse and violation of internal process that led to the huge non-performing loans in AMCON’s portfolio.

AMCON which disclosed this in statement after a meeting with the management of the EFCC on Thursday in Lagos, said the partnership would help recover about N4.6 trillion from debtors.

It said the decision was for both agencies to consolidate on the gains in the areas of investigating, prosecuting and compelling all obligors of AMCON in accordance with the relevant statutes.

“The agencies are planning to revisit, reinvestigate and duly prosecute such banks and the responsible officials,” the statement said.

The EFCC Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, who welcomed the Managing Director of AMCON, Mr. Ahmed Kuru, and his team described the assignments of both agencies of government as “very tough, overwhelming and challenging.”

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He said it was for that reason that EFCC established AMCON Desk with dedicated EFCC officials that ensured that all AMCON related cases in EFCC received speedy attention.

The EFCC boss affirmed that some of those obligors “who took loans without the intention of paying back” did not envisage that someday an agency like AMCON would come knocking on their doors seeking to recover the loans.

According to him, giving the similarity in the objectives of both agencies, the EFCC boss said there was need for joint training towards fostering better understanding between AMCON and the EFCC.

He said that was because most of the obligors might not have acted alone in their unwillingness to repay, but might involve the connivance of some of the bank officials whose motive was to cheat the banks ab-initio.

He, however, disclosed that “in appropriate circumstances, these bankers would also be called upon to account for their roles in granting these questionable facilities.”

Kuru thanked the Acting Chairman of EFCC for receiving the AMCON delegation and expressed appreciation for his passion and cooperation in the collaboration with AMCON toward recovering the enormous bad debts from recalcitrant obligors of AMCON.

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He also thanked the acting chairman for creating that unit that had led to several recoveries.

Recounting AMCON’s role in the economy especially in the banking sector, Kuru said that since its establishment, AMCON acquired debts from 22 banks worth N3.7 trillion and provided financial accommodation to 10 banks of about N2.2 trillion.

He observed that despite AMCON’s recovery efforts, the corporation still holds unresolved loans in excess of N4.6 trillion which represents about 75 per cent of total national budget.