UPDATED: FirstBank clarifies issue on its Abuja head office

 First Bank of Nigeria has clarified the reports on the sealing of its head office in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had reported that the head office of FirstBank in Central Business District, Abuja, was been sealed off based on the order of an FCT High Court Enforcing a garnishee order.

A garnishee order is one of the options open to a judgment creditor to enforce a judgment that has been made in his favour.

Officials of the FCT High Court Enforcement Unit had reportedly stormed the Bank’s Coomassie House Branch with towing vans and cranes and towed some of its valuables.

Items said to be carted away included stand-by generators, Hilux vans and air conditioners, among other valuables.

But in a statement on Friday, the bank described the story as a misrepresentation of facts but admitted that there is a garnishee order, which it is challenging.

“Our attention has been drawn to the news reports online with the conflicting claims that FirstBank branch or/head office has been sealed.

“Please be informed that the referenced story is a misrepresentation of the facts and misleading. Neither our branch nor head office was sealed. On the 4th of August, 2022, there was an unlawful enforcement at the Bank’s Coomassie House Branch of a garnishee order issued by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which order the Bank is still challenging in court.

“We wish to reassure our customers of unhindered banking services and unique customer experience in all our branches and through our numerous alternative channels.”