By Matthew Johnson
After more than two years of closure, aggrieved depositors of the defunct Heritage Bank have called on the Federal Government (FG), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), to enforce immediate payment of their legitimate funds trapped in the failed bank, saying prolonged delays have subjected thousands of Nigerians to severe financial hardship.
CBN revoked the banking license and closed Heritage Bank Plc on June 3, 2024 citing inability of the bank to improve its poor financial performance and had no realistic prospects of recovery.
The apex bank subsequently mandated the NDIC as the liquidator to manage the bank’s assets and refund depositors.
But two years after, the depositors, under the umbrella of the Concerned Heritage Bank Depositors Forum, issued a statement claiming their monies have not been refunded.
In a statement titled, “Our Money, Our Right: Pay Heritage Bank Depositors Their Full Funds Now”, the group said many depositors have remained unable to access their savings for months, adding that the funds represent earnings accumulated through years of work, sacrifice and responsible financial planning.
The depositors said the situation had moved beyond a banking dispute, stressing that families were being forced to bear the consequences of inaccessible funds.
They listed school fees, medical expenses, business capital and retirement needs among the pressing obligations affected by the delay in accessing their deposits.
The group said that parents were struggling to meet school expenses, patients were unable to afford medical bills, entrepreneurs had their business capital locked up, while pensioners depended on their retirement savings for survival.
Describing the matter as one of “trust, dignity and economic justice,” the depositors called on the media, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support their campaign for what they described as financial justice.
They further warned that continued delays would deepen the hardship being experienced by affected Nigerians.
They said: “Behind every trapped account is a Nigerian family facing real hardship, Let’s join hand to push the campaigns. Justice delayed is hardship prolonged, Nigerians had saved responsibly and that institutions must equally act responsibly in resolving the matter.” Depositor said.
The group concluded with its central message: “We saved responsibly. They must pay responsibly.”
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