Facts have emerged why a manager with the First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr Olisa Nwakoby shot himself in Lagos. The 44-year- old bank manager and graduate of Abia State University, killed himself because he was under pressure from his bank over a huge loan he
was allegedly owing.
Nwakoby had reportedly gone to his priest last Friday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Northern Foresore Estate, Lekki, Lagos and complained bitterly on how he approved a loan for a customer who had refused to service the loan.
It was alleged that he had told the priest that he would not stand the shame and disgrace of being dragged up
and down by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
A source at the church said: “He told our father to help him beg his wife and his 10-year-old daughter to forgive him. As the priest was trying to advice him, he brought out a pistol and shot himself. He died instantly.
“The church was in confusion the Rev Father could not believe his eyes. We are still confused. I think he said the loan was about N350million.
“The Police visited the church, took photographs and interviewed the priest. He shot himself. He was not
killed by armed robbers. We loved him because he was an active member of the church. We know him very well. He was from Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government area of Anambra state. His father was also a former chairman of First bank plc.”
Another church member, Hilary who corroborated the story said: “I think he was under a spell by someone
who borrowed money from the bank and refused to service it. I think the man cashed in on the fact that the loan was illegal and refused to service it. He should be arrested”
Lagos state Police Public Relations Officer [PPRO] Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the story said: “Yes, at
about 9:45am Olisa Nwakobi, of house number 11, Aladdin close, Chevron Drive, Lekki allegedly shot himself in the head with a pistol. He shot himself in front of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church Northern Foresore Estate.
“A team of policemen attached to the Ilasan Division visited the scene. An American pistol with five round of unexpended ammunition was found.” She said the corpse has been deposited at the Lagos Island morgue for autopsy.
According to her the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni has ordered full investigation to unravel
why the late banker killed himself.
Investigation revealed that the deceased banker, whose late father, Chief Patrick Oguejiofor
Nwakoby was a former Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria plc, a successful lawyer, politician and a respected community leader before his death might have committed suicide because of the burden of the family name.
According to the Source, it was alleged that Nwakobi was the approving officer for a N350million loan that the beneficiary defaulted in servicing.
However, the Acting Group Head, Communications and Brand Management of the FCMB, Lola Egboh, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday, said the suicide had nothing to do with the bank, adding that she did not have the knowledge of any loan.
Egboh, who described Nwakoby’s death as shocking, said the bank would have come to his aid if it was aware that he had emotional challenges.
She said, “It is rather unfortunate that the incident happened. Mr. Nwakoby was a member of staff of the FCMB. We are not aware that he was facing personal challenges, which led to the incident. As a bank that caters to the well-being of its workers, we have counsellors who could have helped him. This came as a surprise to us as it was to the public. It is such a trying time for the family; we have been in touch with them. There is a lot of speculations going on at the moment, a lot of them unfounded.
“We are working closely with security operatives and his family to understand what could have led to the personal challenges. I am not aware of any loan. I can’t comment on speculations.”
