The management of MRS OIl and Gas Company Limited yesterday denied owing First City Monument Bank (FCMB) N6.2billion.
The oil company was reacting to a report (not in The Nation) titled: “Major oil firm, MRS owes FCMB N6.2b”.
In a statement, MRS said: The attention of MRS OIL & GAS COMPANY LIMITED hereafter referred to as (“MRS” or “ the Company”) was drawn to the above captioned and we wish to categorically state as follows:
“MRS reaffirms that the Company does not owe FCMB the amount claimed in the publication, this is evidenced by the report of our forensic auditors MCL Solutions Ltd. MRS, it’s forensic auditors and lawyers have has made various attempts to reconcile this account with FCMB unsuccessfully. This led to our forensic auditors having to report the matter to CBN forintervention, as can be seen from attached correspondences.
“MRS is aware that FCMB has embarked on a smear campaign to tarnish the image of the Company and its directors judging by the antecedent and recorded actions against the Company; one of which was the case filed against MRS at the High Court of Lagos State, whichwas later struck out by the court.
“It will appear that this fraudulent manner of extorting monies from clients through overcharge is fast becoming the modus operandi of FCMB. It will be recalled that an online report was recently circulated where FCMB had overcharged a client by 1bn Naira, as reported in the case of Zumaxvs FCMB.
“The incompetence of the FCMB team, is further demonstrated where names of people who are not and have never been directors of the MRS are mentioned in the referred publication. For the avoidance of doubt, Messrs Patrice Alberti, Andrew Gbodume and Paul Bissohong are not directors of MRS.
“We therefore wish to assure our customers and business associates that we are NOT indebted to FCMB as claimed and published.
“Our lawyers have been instructed to take appropriate remedial actions.
“The company wishes to assure the general public that MRS Oil & Gas Company Limited will continue to transact its business with the highest ethical standards and in accordance with the extant laws of the Country’’.