Publication Against ED, Okotete Malicious, Says NEXIM Bank 

The management of Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM) has warned online newspaper, Sahara Reporters to desist forthwith from defaming her Executive Director, Hon Stella Okotete or questioning her qualifications, adding that Okotete has performed creditably well in her capacity as the Executive Director, Business Development.

In a statement released by the management on Tuesday, the Bank described the publication as baseless, malicious and a deliberate attempt to ridicule her in the eyes of the public.

Faulting the claims of the online paper, the bank restated that there is no provision in the NEXIM act that lays out the qualifications for appointment of Executive Directors or any Director or the bank as appointments are purely at the prerogative of the President.

The statement further added that section 14 (1) a,b and c of Nexim act stated that the bank shall be exempted from provisions of banks and other financial institutions act (BOFIA), among others particularly section 47 of BOFIA.

The statement reads in parts ” The attention of the Bank has been drawn to a publication of Sahara Reporters dated 28th November 2022 with the headline: How Buhari appointed ‘unqualified’ Stella Okotete as Executive Director against Central Bank of Nigeria’s Act.

“We hereby state categorically that her appointment was made by President Muhammadu Buhari in accordance with the act creating Nigeria Export Import Bank.

“Hon Stella Okotete has performed well in her capacity as an Executive Director which led to the growth of the bank in profitability and drastic reduction of the non-performing loan portfolio since herself, other Executive Directors and Managing Director took over the reigns of the bank five years ago which led to their reappointment for another five years by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We enjoin the public to disregard the publication forthwith as same was done with malicious intents.”