In a bid to ensure timely declaration of liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of the failed Heritage Bank, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced process for the sale of landed properties and chattels of the defunct bank.
The exercise is pursuant to the Corporation’s statutory powers as liquidator of failed banks under section 62 (1)(d) of the NDIC Act, 2023.
It also comes after the exercise for the sales of physical assets of the defunct bank at its leased locations nationwide.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, the NDIC said the sale of landed assets is by competitive bidding and will take place at the 36 affected locations of the bank across the country, from Wednesday 4th December, 2024.
“Buyers who wish to participate in the auction are expected to follow laid down guidelines aimed at ensuring transparency, fair competition, equity and accountability to enable recovery of commensurate values from the exercise.
“This is vital for the payment of liquidation dividends to eligible claimants. In order to allow the continuation of provision of financial services to the Nigerian public at the locations of the closed bank towards bolstering financial inclusion, preference shall be given to financial institutions who are willing to buy any of the properties at the highest auctioned prices along with all the physical assets at wholesale value.
“However, Corporate bodies and Private individuals willing to compete are equally eligible to compete in the process without prejudice, as the auction shall be open and competitive to all bidders,” the statement added.
Furthermore, it said bidders will be given opportunity to inspect the properties and chattels across all locations prior to disposal.
“All interested parties are to make available 10 per cent bid security of the value of their sealed bids to be dropped in the bid box provided at the various centres of the Corporation.
“Interested bidders are advised to submit their bids at any of the designated NDIC offices in Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt,” the statement added.
The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation on Wednesday said it would go after debtors of Heritage Bank owing the bank about N700bn.
The Managing Director of the Corporation Bello Hassan, gave the figure during a chat with journalists in Abuja.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had had in June took a significant step to ensure stability in the banking sector by revoking the license of Heritage Bank Plc.
The decision had raised questions and concerns among customers, stakeholders, and the general public.
The CBN, in its mandate to ensure a sound financial system in Nigeria, revoked the license of the bank with immediate effect.
The action was taken under the powers granted by Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020.
The NDIC had said that based on preliminary assessment of the books of the bank, the amount of depositors fund is about N650bn.
The Corporation had assured customers of the bank that if the N700bn loan is recovered, it would effectively cover the N650bn that customers have deposited with the bank.
NDIC Commences Sales Of Defunct Heritage Bank Properties is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
