Posted by Goddy Egene on
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Sunday morning arrested the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Bond Bank Limited, Mr. John Darlington, in connection with money allegedly linked to the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Sunday morning arrested the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Bond Bank Limited, Mr. John Darlington, in connection with money allegedly linked to the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun.
Darlington, who was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on his way from London, is being held by the EFCC for concealment and conversion of N1.16billion.
The money was said to be part of the funds traced to Balogun's account in Bond Bank.
Balogun, who was arrested on March 29, 2005 for corrupt enrichment, is currently facing trial.
Our correspondent gathered that the EFCC had earlier questioned Darlington over the N1.16billion kept in his bank but he denied.
Attempts to reach Alder, the media consultant to Bond Bank, proved unsuccessful before going to press on Sunday evening.
The EFCC spokesman, Mr. Osita Nwajah, told our correspondent that he was not aware of Darlington's arrest.
He said, 'I have not been able to confirm the arrest. As soon as I get any information, I will let you know."
Some operators in the banking industry, who pleaded for anonymity told our correspondent that the news of the arrest of Darlington came to them as a surprise.
According to them, it is unbelievable that given his professional standing in the industry, he could be involved in such a deal.
Darlington holds a Masters in Banking and Finance from the University of Ibadan. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, London.
He commenced his career at Cooperative Bank in 1978, and served at United Bank for Africa.
He worked at Ijewere & Co (a firm of accountants) and was the pioneer Divisional Administrator at the Institute of Directors.
He joined Lead Bank Plc in 1989 as a pioneer member of staff and left in 2001 as General Manager, Corporate Banking.
He, along with others, floated Bond Bank in 2004 and commenced operations November 1, 2002.
EFCC last week impounded some properties belonging to Balogun in Abuja Reports on Sunday indicated that the former I-G's lawyers might be pressing hard for a plea bargain.
THE PUNCH, Monday, September 19