The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has accused Sterling Bank of hoarding N258 million in new notes at its regional office in Abuja (ICPC).
In response to the ICPC finding, the bank posted what many saw as a cryptic message on social media.
The bank wrote:
“The news media and the government are entwined in a vicious circle of mutual manipulation, mythmaking, and self-interest.”
Quoting a statement from the Assistant Managing Editor of Fortune Magazine, Paul H Beaver, the bank impliedly denied the allegation of hoarding the said cash.
Sterling Bank’s post did not deny nor confirm ICPC findings amply reported by the media.
The bank further stated:
“Too often, the crises are joint fabrications. The two institutions have become so ensnared in a symbiotic web of lies that the news media are unable to tell the public what is true, and the government is unable to govern effectively.”
The bank is reported to be one of the few banks in Nigeria that has consistently dispensed new naira notes via ATMs, evidenced by queues at its branches across the country daily, including weekends.
Many Nigerians expressed shock when they read that the bank was found guilty of hoarding cash against directives by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) asking banks to dispense new notes via ATMs and set N20,000 notes across the counter.