NDIC to pay insured sums to depositors of 42 failed MfBs, begins verification

By Zainab Iwayemi

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) said it has begun the process of closure and payment of insured sums to verified depositors of 42 microfinance banks following the invalidation of their operating licenses and its decision to shut them down.

In a statement signed by Nurat Ajigbewu, director, Claims Resolution Department, the NDIC said as from from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th December, 2020, the corporation has requested all depositors of the closed banks to visit the respective banks’ addresses where NDIC officials would be on ground to verify their claims.

Amongst the affected banks are: Hedgeworth MFB, Utako, Abuja; Future Growth MFB, Utako, Abuja;  Bagwai MFB, Bagwai LGA, Kano; Ere City MFB, Oriade LGA, Osun State; Cafon MFB, Garki II, Abuja; Akcofed MFB, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State;  Gufax MFB, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Partnership MFB, Onitsha, Anambra State;  ICB MFB, Ilah, Delta State;  Onima MFB, Ezinihite Mbaise LGA, Imo State; and Hometrust (NATIONS) MFB, Nkwere, Imo State.

Others include; Ringim MFB, Ringim,  Jigawa State; Bigthana MFB, Ali Akilu Road,  Kaduna;  Rogo MFB, Rogo LGA, Kano State;  Makoda MFB, Makoda LGA, Kano; Takai MFB, Takai LGA, Kano State; Bebeji MFB, Bebeji  L.G.A., Kano State;  Ajingi MFB, Ajingi LGA, Kano State; Garko MFB,  Garko, Kano; Kangiwa MFB, Kangiwa LGA, Kebbi State; Augie MFB, Augie LGA, Kebbi State;  Mopa  MFB, Mopa, Kogi State; Solid Base MFB, Ijumu  LGA, Kogi State; Ultimate Benefit MFB, Lokoja, Kogi State; Ovidi MFB,  Okene, Kogi State; Kirfi MFB, Kirfi LGA, Bauchi; Credit  Express MFB, Kakawa Street, Lagos; King Solomon MFB, Western Avenue, Iponri, Lagos; Riggs MFB, Victoria Island, Lagos; Billionaire Blue Bricks MFB, Ajah, Lagos; Susu MFB, Yaba, Lagos; Wealthstream MFB, Apapa,  Lagos; Aguda Titun MFB, Ogba, Lagos and Sapphire MFB, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Also on the list are, Metro MFB,  Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, Mountain Top MFB, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos; Unyogba MFB, Ofu LGA, Kogi State; Wapo MFB, Okene, Kogi State; Ibogun MFB, Ifo LGA, Ogun State;  Korede MFB, Igbotako, Ondo State;  Ahetou  MFB, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Rivers State and Fufore MFB, Yola, Adamawa State.

In reaching out to the general public, especially depositors of the shut microfinance banks, the NDIC statement read in part, “This is to inform the depositors, creditors, shareholders and the general public that the operating licenses of the under listed 42 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) have been revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) effective from 12th of November, 2020.

“The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the official liquidator of the banks whose licences were recently revoked, is in the process of closing the listed banks and paying their insured depositors.

“We therefore request that all depositors of these banks should visit the closed banks’ addresses and meet NDIC officials for the verification of their claims, commencing from Monday, 21st December, 2020 till Thursday, 24th December, 2020.”