Stung by online campaign by Obidients to boycott it, Keystone Bank Limited has denied closing the “TakeBackNaija Initiative” on the orders of the Federal Government because it was supporting the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.
Over the weekend, members of the Obidients Movement, a group of Nigerians sold out to the Presidential aspirations of Mr Obi, launched a campaign for the boycott of the bank and withdrawal of businesses with it for closing the account of the Obi support group.
Keystone Bank Management said in a statement on Monday that at a no time did the Federal Government or anyone order it to close the said account for supporting the Presidential aspirations of Mr Obi.
The Bank explained that it closed the account because “it was irregularly opened contrary to extant regulatory guidelines.
“In line with applicable regulatory guidelines on treatment of such accounts with irregularities, funds received into this account have been returned to their sources of origin.
“While we recognize the right of every citizen of our country to freely associate in pursuit of common objectives, we also believe as an institution that is subject to supervisory regulations, it is imperative we act within the confines of prescribed guidelines in all our dealings.
“Keystone Bank is open to doing business with every Nigerian irrespective of background or beliefs. But we also owe the public a duty to conduct our business in a safe manner.”
