Some bank customers have expressed panic as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bans mobile money operators including fintech firms from onboarding new customers.
However, the Bank Customers Association of Nigeria backed the CBN directive.
The new directive will affect fintech companies such as OPay, Palmpay, Kuda Bank, and Moniepoint, from opening new accounts until further notice.
The CBN’s move was linked to an ongoing audit of the Know-Your-Customer process of the fintechs, which have been under scrutiny in recent months over concerns around money laundering and terrorism financing.
It was gathered that the CBN had summoned some of the heads of fintechs to Abuja to discuss issues around KYC last week.
The CBN has not yet publicly commented on the directive to the fintech firms.
Several calls made to the telephone line of the CBN spokesperson, Hakama Ali Sidi, were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
Also, the directive coincided with the court order that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained to freeze at least 1,146 bank accounts owned by various individuals and companies allegedly involved in illegal foreign exchange transactions.
The 85-page court order (document) listed the bank account details suspected to be involved in illicit activities,
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on the ex-parte motion, moved by counsel for the anti-graft agency, Ekele Iheanacho, also granted the commission’s application to conclude the investigation within 90 days. – Punch.
