First Bank clears air on garnishee order

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has clarified none of its branches was sealed-off as a result of the garnishee order on the bank last week. 

Confirming the order issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the management of the Bank said, the order is being challenged in court.

Garnishee proceeding is a judicial process of execution or enforcement of monetary judgment by seizure or attachment of debts due or accruing to the judgment debtor, which form part of his property available in execution.

According to the Bank, “there was unlawful enforcement on the 4th of August, 2022 at the Bank’s Coomassie House Branch.

On the closure of the head office branches, the Bank said “contrary to some reports in the media, none of its branches or head office was closed”.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to the news reports online with the conflicting claims that First Bank 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.

While the Bank has taken appropriate legal steps to deal with the situation, we wish to reassure our customers of unhindered banking services and unique customer experience in all our branches and through our numerous alternative channels”, the Bank added.