The Ogiyan of Ejigbo in Osun State, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin, has warned the management of Skye Bank Plc against selling its branch located within his palace in the town.
The monarch who gave the warning while addressing journalists at his palace in Ejigbo, said that he gave the piece of land upon which the bank was built free of charge to the defunct Cooperative Bank so that residents of the town would not have to travel outside for banking services.
The monarch said he was disturbed to learn that the management of the Skye Bank Plc had concluded plans to sell the bank, saying the bank had no right to do so because the land was never sold to them.
Reports indicate that the bank had moved its officials out of the town following robbery attacks on the branch and decided to sell the building.
The monarch said, “I granted the piece of land upon which the building of the bank now stands to the management of the former Cooperative Bank (now Skye Bank Plc) free of charge, purely for banking services.
“I did this bearing in mind its inherent social, economic and commercial benefits to our people at home and in the Diaspora and not for selfish purpose.
“When the land was given out in 1980 to the Cooperative Bank, several properties were destroyed but not compensated for. A sizable part of the palace grounds was affected.
“I unequivocally regard the transaction (planned sale of the bank) as unethical, unpatriotic and unacceptable to all the good people of Ejigboland. The people also say so.”
Oba Oyesosin urged the management of the Skye Bank to stop the planned sale of the branch in the interest of the people of the town.
“For more than 20 years, the former Cooperative Bank operated at the branch without any incident of armed robbery attack, until the merger and acquisition took place and Skye Bank took over,” he said.
The monarch said he, together with residents of the town, would ensure the safety of the bank officials whenever they return to the town.
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