Few hours after dissolving the board and management of Polaris, Union, and Keystone banks, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has appointed new chief executives and executive directors to oversee the affairs of the banks.
The apex bank in a statement issued by the acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali, on Thursday, explained that the appointment takes immediate effect.
According to the statement, Yetunde Oni, the first female CEO of the Standard Chartered bank in Sierra Leone, was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, while Mannir Ubali Ringim was selected as the Executive Director of the tier-2 bank.
For Keystone Bank, Hassan Imam was appointed as its Chief Executive Officer, while Chioma Mang got the position of Executive Director.
Also, the bank appointed Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola as the Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank and Chris Ofikulu as its Executive Director.
The CBN statement read, “Following the dissolution of the Board and Management of Union Bank, Keystone Bank and Polaris Bank on Wednesday, January 10, the CBN has appointed new executives to oversee the affairs of the banks;
“Union Bank: Yetunde Oni – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mannir Ubali Ringim – Executive Director
“Keystone Bank: Hassan Imam – Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer Chioma A. Mang – Executive Director
“Polaris Bank: Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola – Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer Chris Onyeka Ofikulu – Executive Director
The CBN had on Wednesday dissolved the Board and Management of the three banks.
According to CBN, the action was a direct result of the banks’ non-compliance with critical regulatory provisions.
The CBN cited several concerns leading to this decision, including regulatory non-compliance, failures in corporate governance, and involvement in activities threatening financial stability.
“This action became necessary due to the non-compliance of these banks and their respective boards with the provisions of Section 12(c), (f), (g), (h) of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020. The Bank’s infractions vary from regulatory non-compliance, corporate governance failure, disregarding the conditions under which their licenses were granted, and involvement in activities that pose a threat to financial stability, among others.”