In a dramatic turn of events, a team of security agencies allegedly st%rmed the headquarters of Access Bank Plc on Wednesday morning to execute a Bench Warrant issued by the Lagos High Court for the arrest of the bank’s CEO and Managing Director, Bolaji Agbede, and other senior officials.
The arrest order came after the accused allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered in relation to a case involving serious charges of alleged conspir@cy, st€aling, and attempted th€ft.
The court order, handed down by Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos High Court, followed a string of legal issues stemming from allegations of fr@udulent conversion of property documents. Specifically, the case revolves around the conversion of title documents from MOB Integrated Services Limited in a complex loan arrangement involving Access Bank and other parties.
The alleged use of the property led to legal actions, and despite being duly served, Access Bank and its officials, including Bolaji Agbede, allegedly failed to appear in court for the January 20th arraignment. This failure prompted the court to issue a Bench Warrant, which led to Wednesday’s police operation at Access Bank’s headquarters.
The police, led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, reportedly arrived at the bank’s headquarters at noon on February 5, 2025, but were told that the CEO was in a meeting, and the Company Secretary was in London. After engaging with the bank’s legal officers, the police were assured that the defendants would appear at the next scheduled hearing, set for February 24, 2025.
The case, LD/24884C/2024 – The State of Lagos v. Adejare Adegbenro & Ors, is set for arraignment on February 24, 2025, as prosecutors continue to investigate the illegal dealings.
This high-profile case highlights the ongoing b@ttle against financial fr@ud and misc%nduct in Nigeria’s banking sector, and authorities remain vigilant in ensuring that those responsible face justice
