A civil society organisation, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), has retracted allegations of corruption and unwholesome activities made in a Private Investigation Report (PIR) against Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Limited, a subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc.

In a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja, Tuesday, signed by President of the organisation, Edward Omaga Esq., he stated that he presented the PIR to the media on 3rd October, 2024 and later submitted same to certain agencies in Nigeria, UK, USA and Ghana for further action.

He said the documents relied upon to compile the PIR, were obtained from the internet and were baseless and do not depict the true state of affairs about GTB Limited and its management.

“In other words, the position taken by Global Integrity Crusade Network in the PIR was misguided. It has become clear that Guaranty Trust Bank Limited, its Management and the entire GTCO brand are not under any financial or regulatory scrutiny in Nigeria or abroad as alleged.

“The issues raised about Unsolicited Accounts Opening for customers were unnecessary, as the bank operates in line with the highest standards of compliance and due process, whilst preventing the breach of data privacy laws,” he said.

On the issue of profit declaration for the period ended June 30, 2024, Omaga stated that records abound to show that GTB Limited fully complied with the applicable legal requirements of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) as well as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“It was therefore not appropriate for GICN to query the Audited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the period ended June 30, 2024, released by GTCO Plc to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE).

“In the same vein, the corporate image and integrity of GTB Limited remains intact in foreign countries where it carries on business.

“The financial penalties paid in the United Kingdom by Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Limited coupled with the suspension of its Foreign Exchange Trading Licence in Ghana were minor regulatory issues, which have been sorted out long time ago.

“The group wishes to sincerely apologize through this medium for misleading the public towards having any negative perception about GTB Limited.

“Specifically, GICN implores Mr. Segun Julius Agbaje, being the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, to forgive its shortcomings and consider the group as a partner in the sustained drive of the bank to provide quality financial services across Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

“In keeping with its resolve to set the records straight, the group had on Thursday, 27th February 2025 written to withdraw the PIR and all court cases relating to this matter,” he added.

The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has expressed his willingness to collaborate with the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters.

The Commissioner made this statement while receiving members of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, Kano State Chapter, in his office.

Comrade Waiya stated that the ministry would ensure that staff of state-owned broadcast agencies register with the professional body to enhance service delivery.

He emphasized the need to regulate certain content in broadcast media, particularly political programs, to prevent the spread of misinformation and protect the reputations of highly respected individuals.

The Commissioner further assured the Society of his commitment to collaboration, especially in the area of training, to ensure that all media content aligns with ethical standards, societal values, and religious principles.

Earlier, the Kano State Coordinator of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, Hajiya Aishatu Sule, congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment.

She explained that the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters is a professional body that regulates broadcasting in Nigeria, adding that no individual should practice as a broadcaster without registering with the organization.

In his remarks, the Vice President of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, North West Zone, Ado Sa’idu Warawa, solicited the ministry’s support in organizing workshops to equip broadcasters with modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance digital broadcasting in line with global standards.

He also appealed to the Commissioner to assist the Society in securing a befitting secretariat to improve working conditions.

The concerned citizens of Kiru, based in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, have commended the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission for arresting Kiru Local Government Chairman Abdullahi Muhammad over allegations of selling land worth over 100 million Naira meant for Kafin Maiyaki Mini Stadium.

The chairman of the group, Yau Ibrahim, stated this in a release issued to newsmen.

Yau Ibrahim said the Anti-Corruption Commission, led by Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has done the right thing at the right time, considering Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s efforts in fighting corruption.

Yau Ibrahim said on behalf of the concerned citizens of the local government, drawn from different parts of Nigeria, that they fully support the Kano Public Complaints Commission and the Government of Kano State to ensure that justice is done.

They urge Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado not to leave any stone unturned regarding the huge land grab allegedly perpetrated by the chairman in order to serve as a lesson to others.

It can be recalled that the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission on Friday arrested the Chairman of Kiru Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, over allegations of selling land worth over N100 million meant for Kafin Maiyaki Mini Stadium.

The commission spokesman, Mr. Kabir Abba Kabir, told newsmen that the council chairman has been detained and is undergoing interrogation.

He said that the commission discovered that the monies were paid into Mohammed’s personal account.

The spokesman said that a company named Mahasum purchased the plots of land allocated for the mini-stadium and other individuals.

He noted that Mohammed’s account received over N240 million from Nov. 1, 2024, when he was sworn in, to Feb. 27, which has since been recovered.

He said that Mohammed is cooperating with the investigation, which aims to uncover the truth behind the fraudulent sale of land and bring those responsible to book.