A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CCSOs, Tuesday, blasted Heritage Bank over alleged harassment of Sen Andy Ubah, on loan repayment.
This was contained in an address read by the President, CCSOs, Etuk Bassey Williams and Secretary General, CCSOs, Abubakar Ibrahim, respectively, at a press conference held in Abuja.
The CSSOs alleged that the bank has gotten itself involved in “State politics” knowing that Sen Ubah is contesting in the forthcoming primary elections of his party this weekend in Anambra State and described the alleged protest at Sen Ubah’s residence by staff of the bank as blackmail.
The statement reads in part, “Our attention has been drawn to a virile video by some staffs of Heritage Bank when they stormed Sen. Andy Ubah’s residence in Abuja demanding for repayment of loan allegedly claimed he is owing the bank years back.
“We are surprised that, a bank will get itself involved in state politics knowing that same person is contesting primary elections this weekend in Anambra State. When has protest turned means of enforcing re payment of Bank loans? Are their no other legitimate means of ensuring that debtors pay their loans instead of resolving to blackmail and destroying reputation of their customer on the social media spaces.
“We, as Coalition of Civil Society Group frown at this blackmail tendencies of Heritage Bank and call on relevant agencies to look into it and bring them to book. Banks should always adhere to oath of secrecy that exists between them and their customers. Turning to agents of provocateur in the hands of political enemies of Sen. Andy Ubah is disheartening for a bank.
“We condemn this shameless act under any disguise and hereby warn all detractors that their plot has failed because nothing can and will derail the victory that is certain come Saturday after the primary elections in Anambra.
“We see the incident as attempt to blackmail Sen Andy Ubah and also distract him from the major assignment ahead of him as it relates to the Saturday party primaries.
However, the group in conclusion said, “We are not saying money owner shouldn’t be paid back, but due process and laid down principles should be followed in requesting for loan repayment not resolving to street protest like gangsters. This plot has failed and the bank has also failed along with their collaborators.”
