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Exclusive: GTBank accused of conspiring with SportyBet to defraud customers

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Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and an online sports betting platform, SportyBet Nigeria, have been accused of conspiring to withdraw funds from bank customers’ accounts.

The latest victim of this development was a customer of the bank, Baruwa Oladayo Hassan, who accused the Bodija, Ibadan branch of the bank of aiding an unauthorized withdrawal of N500,000.00 from his account by the betting company.

Baruwa told MegaIcon Magazine that he was at the GTBank branch located along UI-Ojoo road to make a transaction at its Automated Teller Machine (ATM) when he received two surprising debit alerts amounting to N500,000.

His words: “On Friday, July 2nd, 2021, I was at GTBank in front of the University of Ibadan main gate. I wanted to withdraw money from the ATM. While I was processing the transaction, I saw one OTP code (One-time password) sent to my phone, but I don’t know what it is all about, so I ignored it, and I continued with my transaction on the ATM. Surprisingly, a minute after I had made the withdrawal, still around the banking premises, I received an unauthorized debit alert of N100 first around 2:03 PM on Friday, with transaction details: – – PG-SP-ORT/PAY LANGSTAN 9999148678 , at the same spot, I got another debit alert of N499,900.00 instantly, also with transaction details: – -PG-SP ORTY/AY LANGSTAN 9999150119.”

He said he rushed into the banking hall to complain but was treated shabbily by the branch manager and his customer service attendants.

“Since last week Friday (July 2nd, 2021), I am yet to get any good response from GTBank,” he lamented. “They cannot expect me to keep quiet; half a million naira isn’t a joke; this is unfair”.

The victim, a graduate of the University of Ibadan (UI), operates a Business Centre in the city. He swore he had no knowledge of betting and had never operated any account with any betting platform, including SportyBet Nigeria.

He continued: “I was amazed because that was not the transaction I made. I entered the banking hall immediately to register my complaint. I approached one of the staff, who checked the transaction on the system. He told me that the money was transferred to one SportyBet. In my life, I have never engaged in betting. So, when I told the staff to continue searching for the money, at least, since he had identified where the money entered.

“Another female staff later joined the staff, and they placed a call to one of the customer care representatives of SportyBet (07008888888) , and the person replied that it is only GTBank that can rectify it. But, the bank feels adamant and unconcerned about the development. The staff declared that the bank could not do anything about the unauthorized transaction. That was on Friday”.

Speaking further, the victim explained that around 5:06 PM on that same Friday, he received a credit alert of a N264.99 refund out of his N500,000. He said the refund transaction email reads: transaction details: |SportyPay refunded Paystack Finance Refund|||Paystack, but he was unable to return to the bank to give updates because it was late. The bank had already closed for the day.

Baruwa accused the bank of desperately trying to twist the story and blaming him for being reckless with his ATM card, to avoid taking responsibility for the loss.

He added: “Funny enough, the bank accused me of being careless with my ATM Card, suggesting that I might have used it with POS, which is not correct, I did not make use of POS in recent times. Immediately I got the debit alert I met with the staff and they asked for my ATM card and phone, which I do use to receive a transaction alert.

“Fortunately, my ATM Card and phone were with me, so I don’t know why they were telling lies that maybe I exposed my card carelessly”, he added.

When asked about the steps taken thus far, Baruwa said, “On Monday, I went to GTBank at UI main gate again to explain to the Manager what my experience was, but he told me that they cannot do anything on the issue. I am psychologically down. I am yet to get myself together as I am talking now because the money isn’t meant for me. On Tuesday, I also visited the bank.

“All that the Branch Manager could do was to refer me to the Operational Manager. They were just tossing me around as he (Operational Manager) directed me to go to the Police station and register my complaint. Immediately, I left the bank for Sango Police Station, where I met an officer who demanded that I pay a certain amount of money before he could embark on any investigation.

“I don’t have money to sort the officer. Please, I want a thorough investigation into this matter. I have been using the bank for over 10 years; I am even surprised that GTBank can do this to me. I know that the money is not safe at home; that was why I brought it to GTBank, and I gave them my trust. They have compromised the trust I gave them. Honestly, I now doubt the bank’s sincerity.

“I am bewildered that a reputable bank that is supposed to trace the unauthorized transaction which came with reference number failed to do the needful, only to apportion unnecessary blames. I expected GTBank to track the final destination of the money. At least from there, they can continue their investigations. But they wanted to shy away from their responsibility. People are now on my neck asking for their money. Where will I get the money to pay these people? I am just a graduate hustling to make a living through my Business Centre. I doubt if GTBank is trustworthy again”, he cried.

Warning fellow customers of the bank to be more vigilant and as well monitor their accounts regularly, he said: “For now, Nigerians need to be careful because we don’t know who is next. I have also heard and read similar nasty experiences, yet the bank has not been doing anything to curtail the situation. The fact is that our money is no longer safe with GTBank.

Continuing, the customer’s statement of account obtained on Tuesday, 13th July 2021, also established the unauthorized transactions.

Checks by Mega Icon Magazine revealed that Baruwa is not the only victim as other GTBank customers had shared the same awful experiences.

On visiting an online complaints platform, https://complaintsdb.com/business/sportybet-nigeria-47923), it was discovered that some customers banking with GTBank had lost monies to the betting platform through fraudulent withdrawals from unauthorized transactions without their permission or consent.

On 7th June 2021, Ejike Chukwualuka Geraldine wrote, “I lost the sum of 500k via my GTBANK account to SPORTYPAY, which I was hearing of for the first time. God bear me witness if GTBANK does not refund me my money and fish out the guy who did this to me, that bank will fold unless God doesn’t exist. People are complaining about this yet GTbank still approves payment for it. It is either Gtbank works hand in hand with them, but I’m sure something fishy is going on. Our money is no longer safe with GTBANK. I almost became suicidal. I suffered to save that money, and yet Gtbank staff treated me like an idiot”, it read in part.

In a related development, on 17th May 2021, another victim, also a GTBank customer, Stanley Ala Halliday lamented that the sum of One hundred and eighty-three thousand naira N183,000.00 was withdrawn from his account by Sportybet without his consent.

“The sum of One hundred and eighty-three thousand naira was hacked by someone from sporty bet organization. On the 14th of May last week. A number called me at +85665149020, immediately I picked the call the whole of my account was wiped within 10 seconds. Pls, I’m begging for something to be done. Please in the name of God”, the victim submitted.

Baruwa, however, called on the EFCC, CBN, human rights organizations, NGOs, Corporate Affairs Commissioners (CAC), among others to intervene in the matter. He also vowed to explore other legal means to have his money refunded.

It was further alleged that SportyBet is using SportyPay as a  payment gateway.

Efforts made by  Mega Icon Magazine to reach GTBank for comments were unsuccessful.

Even, Mr Ayobami Ladipo,who is said to be the spokesperson of the bank, when contacted yesterday (Tuesday) via his cellphone number and WhatsApp,  promised to call back but has not called as of the time of filing this report

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Ford Trims Workforce: 4,000 Jobs to Go in Europe

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(FILES) The logo of carmaker Ford is pictured on the sidelines of a warning strike called by metalworkers’ union IG Metall at the plant of carmaker Ford in Cologne, western Germany, on October 29, 2024. – US car manufacturer Ford on November 20, 2024 announced plans for 4,000 further job cuts in Europe, mostly in in the UK and Germany, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)

US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.

“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.

The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.

“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.

The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.

Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.

 

Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.

 

“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.

 

Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.

The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.

Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.

 

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Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks VC, Registrar, Otukpo Pro-Chancellor

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.

The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.

A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.

According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.

The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.

“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.

In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.

Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.

Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.

The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.

Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.

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Ekiti Workers to Earn N70,000 Minimum Wage as Govt Signs MoU with Unions

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The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.

Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.

She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.

“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.

In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.

They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.

The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.

“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.

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