Saraki tells banks to expose corrupt customers

Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged banks to assist the federal government in the fight against corruption by reporting suspicious accounts and transactions.

According to Sani Onogu, Saraki’s media assistant, the senate president made the call when the management of Fidelity Bank Plc visited him at the national assembly on Thursday.

The statement quoted Saraki as saying banks were at a vantage position to disclose suspicious transactions to relevant authorities.

“In the fight against corruption, the banks must play a role in knowing its customers and also being accountable for their activities,” the statement read.

“In developed societies, banks know that if their customers are being questioned in any activity, they too are responsible for not bringing it to the attention of the government.

“So, if the banking system is tight, it will bring the greatest contribution in fighting corruption because at the end of the day, it must come through the banking system.

“But, I think that when the banks turn a blind eye, that does not help. I think that we need to start looking at that in supporting the government in addressing corruption.”

Saraki also urged the banks to ensure that they lent needed support to farmers in order to boost food production and stimulate the growth of agriculture in the country.

Earlier, Nnamdi Okonkwo, managing director and chief executive officer of Fidelity Bank, said the visit was in line with the bank’s ongoing engagement with critical stakeholders in the economy.

He said the bank had been, and would continue to provide support for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), industries and telecommunication sectors.