Nigeria's
apex bank has said in a statement that it has compelled Deposit Money
Banks (DMBs) to refund N6.2 billion to customers they over charged as
cost of transactions in 2015.
In a statement made available by the Director, Corporate
Communications, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ibrahim Mu’azu, in
Abuja on Saturday, the nation's apex bank said it compelled Deposit
Money Banks (DMBs) to refund N6.2 billion to customers they over charged
as cost of transactions in 2015.
According to the statement, CBN is always ready to checkmate banks and protect customers from illegal, excessive charges.
"The Revised Guide to Bank Charges clearly specifies allowable
charges for all banking services; the CBN does not in any way condone
the fleecing of banking customers under any guise.
"It was in the quest to provide a strong voice to banks’
customers and moderate the arbitrary charges that the CBN in 2012
established a Consumer Protection Department.
"The CBN has investigated over 6,000 complaints relating to unauthorized bank charges brought to its notice, following which banks
have been compelled to refund N6.2 billion to affected customers in 2015
alone.
"The CBN wishes to reiterate its resolve to continuously
enforce the provision of the Revised Guide to Bank Charges and urges
members of the public to report cases of infringement to enable it
investigate and apply sanctions on any erring DMB," it stated.
The statement urged bank customers to forward complaints of
excessive bank charges to the Director, Consumer Protection Department
of the Central Bank.
See the official statement below;
