NDIC Starts Auction Of Landed Properties, Chattels Of Heritage Bank

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced it would commence the auctioning of landed properties and chattels of the defunct Heritage Bank across the country.

NDIC’s Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Bashir Nuhu, said the auctioning would begin on Wednesday, 4th December 2024.

NDIC stated that while private individuals and cooperate organizations are welcomed in the auction, preference would be given to financial institutions. It added that interested individuals and organizations would be given one week to inspect the landed properties and chattels.

Nuhu advised interested individuals and organizations to make their bids at NDIC offices in Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt.

A statement from NDIC on Monday read: “In a bid to ensure timely declaration of liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of the failed Heritage Bank (In-Liquidation), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced process for the auction of landed properties and chattels of the failed bank.

‘This exercise is in pursuant of the Corporation’s statutory powers as the Liquidator of failed banks under section 62 (1)(d) of the NDIC Act, 2023. This is another follow up action sequel to disposal of physical assets and chattels belonging to the defunct bank at its leased locations nationwide.

“Therefore, the auction of the landed assets shall be by competitive bidding in sealed bids schedule to take place at the six (6) selected locations of the Corporation across the country, for the affected 36 branches of the failed bank beginning from Wednesday 4th December, 2024.

“Buyers who wish to participate in the auction are expected to follow laid down guidelines purposely aimed at ensuring transparency, fair competition, equity and accountability to enable recovery of commensurate values from the exercise. This is critical for the payment of liquidation dividends to eligible claimants.

“The Corporation shall give preference to financial institutions who are willing to buy at the highest auctioned value in order to allow for continuation of provision of banking services to the Nigerian public at the designated locations.

“This is desirable towards bolstering financial inclusion as envisaged by the financial system regulatory authorities.

“However, Corporate bodies and Private individuals willing to compete are equally eligible to compete in the process without prejudice, as the auction shall be open and competitive to all bidders.

“Furthermore, bidders will be given opportunity to inspect the properties and chattels across all locations one week prior to date of disposal.

“All interested parties are to make available 10% bid security of the value of their sealed bids to be dropped in the bid box provided at the specific centre out of the six location of the Corporation as contained in the published advertisements.

‘All interested bidders are advised to submit their bids only at the designated NDIC offices covering their choices amongst Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt.”