SunTrust Bank, one of the new entrants into the country’s banking industry, has denied claims by protesting staff of the National Assembly that it was withholding payment of its salaries.
The bank said it was committed to meeting its obligation to clients, describing the allegation by some NASS workers as false and baseless.
Muhammad Jibrin, CEO of the bank in a statement made available to the media, said its operations were guided by due diligence, “It has come to the attention of the bank that some individuals claiming to be staff of the National Assembly, claimed that the bank has held on to their salaries without paying to them.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Sun Trust Bank as a duly licensed commercial bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria has been diligently executing all mandates given to it with respect to making payments on behalf of its customers promptly.”
Jibrin further stated that “as a banker to some of the NASS account, the bank has been diligently managing the NASS accounts, receiving instructions and making payments to various beneficiaries as may be instructed, including the recent payments which have since been relayed, some via REMITA, to the relevant banks.”
He however enjoined any person who does not receive payments executed by it to first check with his or her bankers to trace where such payments are held.
Jibin further emphasized that the bank has not failed to honour any obligation of its clients and in this instance had discharged its obligation promptly.
Legislative Aides to lawmakers on Tuesday stages a wide protest in the National Assembly over delays in payment of their salaries and allowances. The protesters who carried placards and obituary pictures said they were protesting the death of a legislative aide to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Yusuff Lasun. The protesters said that the aide, Hassan Abiodun, died because he was unable to pay the sum of N165, 000 for surgery for appendicitis.
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