Business

Court Halts Acquisition of Spring Bank

Published

16 years ago

December 23, 2009

Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court has described the role played by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the acquisition of Spring Bank Plc by Bank PHB as reckless and with impunity. Regretting their role, Akanbi in an interlocutory ruling in Lagos last Wednesday stopped the defendants from taking any steps towards the changing of the name, logo and title of Spring Bank either on its own or as member of the board of Bank PHB. Lord Chief Udensi Ifegwu and Emmanuel U. Okorie, the two aggrieved shareholders of Spring Bank had in the wake of moves by Bank PHB to acquire the bank last year, Approached the court to halt the planned acquisition. The plaintiffs argued that due process of law was ignored by the respondents in acquiring the bank. Named as respondents to the suit were Bank PHB, Spring Registrars Limited, CBN, SEC, NSE, Spring Bank and Westcom Technologies and Energy Services Limited. Upon the filing of the suit, the court in October 2008, gave an interim order, restraining the respondents from sanctioning planned acquisition of the shares of Spring Bank by Bank PHB pending the determination of the suit. It also restrained Bank PHB from passing any resolution of its meeting schedule to hold at the Ballroom of Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos or any date orday or any other place or venue, with a view to passing any resolution on the bidding for shares of Spring Bank or on the acquisition of Spring Bank in any form or shape, pending the determination of the motion on notice. Despite the court’s order, the respondents went ahead with the take over process and later announced the acquisition of the share capital of Spring Bank by Bank PHB. Justice Akanbi held that it was rather “regrettable unfortunate and sad that agencies of the Federal Government (CBN, NSE and SEC) in total disregard for the rule of law and in a brazen show of power proceeded to batter the much cherished laudable and welcome desire of President Umaru Yar’Adua to give to the country, a lasting democracy built on a solid foundation of the rule by colluding with other respondents to disregard the order of the court”. He further held that disobedience of court should be “seen as an offence, not only directed against the personality of the Judge, but as a calculated act of subversion of peace, law and order in the Nigeria society”. Justice Akanbi said he was of the view that “for a nation such as ours to have stability and respect for democracy, obviously the rule of law must be allowed to follow its normal course unencumbered. “Obedience of orders of court is fundamental to the good order, peace and stability of the society. The ugly alternative is a painful remembrance or the triumph of brute force or anarchy. I regret to observe that those agencies of government are promoting anarchy and executive indiscipline capable of wrecking the organic framework of the society. “Such a despicable act on the part of the CBN, NSE and SEC must not be condoned. It must not be condoned. It must be condemned in all its ramification and force and I have no hesitation to condemn it. The CBN, NSE and SEC acted recklessly, contemptuously and shamelessly by going ahead to do an act in which there is a pending application for the court to restrain. “The integrity of the court is at stake and court must therefore intervene to protect and preserve such integrity lest it will be made a laughing stock and will be seen no longer as the last hope of the common man.

Business

Agency Gives Insight Into Its Inspection, Monitoring Operations

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Director, South South Zone National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacist Chujwuma P.Oligbu has said its thorough implementation of its core mandate of monitoring has no link with witch-hunting or fault finding as perceived at some quarters.

Oligbu, made this known when he spoke as as guest at the maiden Rivers state Supermarkets stakeholders’ Seminar/Workshop in Port Harcourt recently.

Rather, he said they were mere opportunities for education, correction and continuous improvement.

The Agency’s South South Boss, noted that Supermarket operators who maintain transparent records, cooperate during inspections, and promptly address identified gaps demonstrate professionalism and commitment to public health standard.

He listed the deserving essence of supermarket operation to include the key aspects of supermarket operation that deserves emphasis is product sourcing.

“Supermarkets must ensure that all regulated products stocked on their shelves are duly registered with NAFDAC and sourced from legitimate manufacturers or distributors”, he said .

According to him, the presence of unregistered, expired, counterfeit, or improper labelled products undermines consumer confidence and poses serious health risks.

He pointed out that such has the likelihood of exposeing supermarket operators to legal sanctions that could damage their reputation and financial stability.

The NAFDAC Operator, further enlightened the participants that mere registration of a particular product with the Federal agency do not guarantee absolute consumption safety.

“Temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, stock rotation, and proper shelving are not optional practice; they are essential components of compliance”, he said.

The South South zonal director also told the operators of supermarket that their employees rotine training on the basis of the product they display for sale is of utmost importance.

In her presentation a Breast Milk Nutrition Expert , Professor Alice Nte of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), was against the body’s prime attention to breast milk substitute or baby milk in supermarkets as well as its advertisement or promotion.

Nye jerked up the importance of mothers breast milk to the newborn baby and added that it help in fighting against childhood diseases, infections and combating cancer in breastfeeding mothers.

Meanwhile, NAFDAC Deputy Director, South – South Zone , Mrs. Riter Chujwuma educated the participants on the guidelines for global listing, and the need to adhere strictly to rules guiding global listing to avoid confiscation of their imported products.

By: King Onunwor

Business

BVN Enrolments Rise 6% To 67.8m In 2025 — NIBSS

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments rose by 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 67.8 million as at December 2025, up from 63.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

In a statement published on its website, NIBSS attributed the growth to stronger policy enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the expansion of diaspora enrolment initiatives.

According to the data, more than 4.3 million new BVNs were issued within the one-year period, underscoring the growing adoption of biometric identification as a prerequisite for accessing financial services in Nigeria.

NIBSS noted that the expansion reinforces the BVN system’s central role in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive and digital identity framework.

Analysts linked the growth largely to regulatory measures by the CBN, particularly the directive to restrict or freeze bank accounts without both a BVN and National Identification Number (NIN), which took effect from April 2024.

The policy compelled many customers to regularise their biometric records to retain access to banking services.

Another major driver, the statement said, was the rollout of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without physical presence in the country.

The programme has been widely regarded as a milestone in integrating the diaspora into Nigeria’s formal financial system.

A five-year analysis by NIBSS showed consistent growth in BVN enrolments, rising from 51.9 million in 2021 to 56.0 million in 2022, 60.1 million in 2023, 63.5 million in 2024 and 67.8 million by December 2025. The steady increase reflects stronger compliance with biometric identity requirements and improved coverage of the national banking identity system.

However, NIBSS noted that BVN enrolments still lag the total number of active bank accounts, which exceeded 320 million as of March 2025.

The gap, it explained, is largely due to multiple bank accounts linked to single BVNs, as well as customers yet to complete enrolment, despite the progress recorded.

Business

AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026

Published

5 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has set the tone for the new year with a renewed focus on food security, unity and long-term growth of the agricultural sector.

The association announced that its General Assembly of Farmers Congress will take place from January 15 to 17, 2026 at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries, along Lugbe Airport Road, in the Federal Capital Territory.

The gathering is expected to bring together farmers, policymakers, investors and development partners to shape a fresh direction for Nigerian agriculture.

In a New Year address to members and stakeholders, AFAN president, Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi, said the congress would provide a strategic forum for reviewing past challenges and outlining practical solutions for the future.

He explained that the event would serve as a rallying point for innovation, collaboration and economic renewal within the sector.

Mudi commended farmers across the country for their determination and hard work, despite years of insecurity, climate-related pressures and economic uncertainty.

According to him, their resilience has kept food production alive and positioned agriculture as a stabilising force in the national economy.

He noted that AFAN intends to build on this strength by resetting agribusiness operations to improve productivity and sustainability.

The AFAN leader appealed to government institutions, private investors and development organisations to deepen their engagement with the association.

He stressed the need for collective action to confront persistent issues such as insecurity in farming communities, climate impacts and market instability.

He also urged members to put aside internal disputes and personal interests, encouraging cooperation and shared responsibility in pursuit of national development.

Mudi outlined key priorities that include increasing food output, expanding support for farmers at the grassroots and strengthening local manufacturing through partnerships with both domestic and international investors adding that reducing dependence on imports remains critical to protecting the economy and creating jobs.

He stated that the upcoming congress will feature the launch of AFAN’s twenty-five-year agricultural mechanisation roadmap, alongside the announcement of new partnerships designed to accelerate growth across the value chain.

Participants, he said wi also have opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange aimed at transforming agriculture into a more competitive and technology-driven sector.

As part of its modernisation drive, AFAN is further encouraging members nationwide to enrol for the newly introduced Digital ID Card.

Mudi said the initiative will improve transparency, ensure proper farmer identification and make it easier to access support programmes and services.

Reaffirming the association’s long-term goal, he said the vision of national food sufficiency by 2030 remains achievable if unity and collaboration are sustained.

He expressed optimism that with collective effort, Nigeria’s agricultural sector can overcome its challenges and deliver a more secure and prosperous future.

Lady Usendi