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CBN Issues Guidelines For Payments Service Holding Companies

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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has issued guidelines for licensing and regulation of Payments Service Holding Companies, PSHCs, in the country.

The apex bank, yesterday, disclosed this in a circular to all Deposits Money Banks, Payment Service Providers and Other Financial Institutions.

The guidelines, stated: “The regulation requires companies desirous of operating more than one licence category, to set up a PSHC, with activities of subsidiaries clearly delineated.

This arrangement would prevent commingling of activities, facilitate management of risks and enable the CBN exercise adequate regulatory oversight on all the companies operating within the Group.

“The affected regulated payment activities are: Mobile Money Operations, Switching and Processing, Payment Solution Services and any other activity as may be approved by the CBN.”

On activities that are permissible and non permissible, the guidelines stated: “Except as listed in Section 5.2, the activities of the PSHC shall be restricted to the holding of equities in financial and technological subsidiaries that facilitate and/or enhance innovative digital financial services.

The PSHC can provide broad policy direction, shared services and/or enter into technical or management service contract with any of its subsidiaries, with the prior written approval of the CBN, in respect of the following areas: Human Resources services; Risk Management services; Internal Control services; Compliance services; Information and Communication Technology; Legal services; Facilities (office accommodation including electricity, security, cleaning services in that accommodation); and, Any other services as may be approved by the CBN from time to time.

“Shared services shall be provided on arm’s length basis. Transactions in respect of such services shall require the consent of the Board of Directors of the subsidiary.

“A PSHC is prohibited from undertaking the following activities: Establishment, divestment and closure of subsidiaries, without the prior written approval of the CBN.

“Deriving or receiving income from sources other than as listed herein: Dividend income from its subsidiaries/associates; Income from shared services, where applicable; Interest earned from idle funds invested in government securities or placement with licensed financial institutions.

“Patents, royalties and copyrights; Profit on divestment from subsidiaries/associates; and any other source as may be approved by the CBN.

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Court Orders Arrest Of Wike-led FCTA Director, 10 Others

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 By Aliyu Galadima 

An Abuja High Court has issued a bench warrant against the director of investigation and prosecution of the FCTA, Joseph Eriki, and 10 others.Justice Suleiman Belgore has issued an order to compel the director and others to appear before the court for a suit filed against them.

The Judge’s decision followed the application of the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, who lamented the failure of the efforts to ensure that the suspects appear in court.

Justice Suleiman Belgore of the High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against Joseph Eriki, the director of investigation and prosecution of the Nyesom Wike-led Federal Capital Territory Administration ,FCTA, and 10 others. 

The judge had issued the order to compel the appearance of Joseph Eriki and 10 others before the court, as they had been arraigned in a suit filed against them by the federal government. 

The warrant was issued following an application by the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, who stated that all efforts to ensure the suspects’ presence in court had failed. Kaswe informed the court that the prosecution had made several attempts to notify the suspects’ lawyers and sureties, but to no avail. 

He cited Section 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ,ACJA, which allows for the issuance of a bench warrant to compel attendance in court.

The court agreed to the application, issuing the warrant to ensure the suspects’ appearance for arraignment on a six-count charge. The charges against the suspects include criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, forgery, and using a forged document as genuine.

 They are also accused of using criminal force to deter a public servant from performing their duty. The suspects allegedly entered a plot of land belonging to Etha Ventures and constructed structures without authorisation, to defraud the company. 

According to the prosecution, the suspects fraudulently obtained a consent judgment for the land, which was given to Super Structures Limited. The case has been adjourned until June 4 for arraignment.

 The court’s decision to issue a bench warrant highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the need for the suspects to face trial. The suspects are facing a six-count charge, which was filed in February.

The court’s ruling emphasises the importance of a speedy trial and the need for the suspects to be held accountable for their actions.

 With the bench warrant in place, the court is taking steps to ensure that the suspects appear in court and face the charges against them

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