/ 11 July 1997

Massive fraud at Nigerian banks

THURSDAY, 4.00PM

NIGERIA has lost more than US$100-million in frauds involving 3 381 bankers at more than 150 different commercial and merchant banks in the past six years.

John Ebhodaghe, chief executive of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which takes charge of bank regulation, said the figures showed that frauds and forgeries rose 362%.

The corporation has declared some 51 of Nigeria’s commercial and merchant banks distressed, and says they will require some US$35-million to recapitalise.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

BA STRIKE BRITISH Airways, hit by a 72-hour cabin crew strike, was able to put on 25% more flights on Thursday than on Wednesday. A representative said the airline’s London to Johannesburg services were unaffected by the astrike, but added it is unlikely BA will be able to fly to Cape Town this week.

NORTHAM WAGE DEAL WORKERS at Northam Platinum mine near Rustenburg on Thursday accepted management’s proposed 12,5% wage increase at a mass meeting addressed by the National of Mineworkers. A formal agreement will be signed on Friday between management and worker representatives. Mine chairman Peter Janisch said the increase is the highest in the mining industry this year and brings Northam workers’ wages in line with those at gold mines.