Former Enterprise Bank, now Heritage Bank, has apologized to Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah for erroneously including his name, his wife’s (Zainab) and Banana Republic Ltd. in the list of debtors published by the bank in two national dailies.

Nda-Isaiah is the Chairman of Banana Republic Ltd.

The bank, in a letter to Nda-Isaiah, dated August 31, said: “We wish to state, regretfully, that the inclusion of Banana Republic Limited, your name and that of your wife on the list was done in error.

“We hold you, your family and Banana Republic in high esteem. Again, we regret whatever insinuation or public harm done to your persons.”

The apology is coming on the heels of a petition by Nda-Isaiah to Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, over the defamation of his character by Enterprise Bank Limited.

The commercial bank had on Monday, August 10, published Banana Republic Limited among its delinquent debtors.

However, Nda-Isaiah, in a petition to the CBN governor, called for an investigation into the loan granted to him by the bank.

The petition explained extensively how Banana Republic Limited applied for a facility of N80 million for a new branch in Maitama and then engaged an international consultancy company to commence feasibility study on a five-star hotel project.

He insisted that Enterprise Bank had impugned his reputation and that of his family, stressing that all his life, he had tried to be very careful.

He said: “I have built a public image and a brand, which I cherish and protect jealously. I will not just sit by and watch such a brand rubbished because of the incompetence and unfathomable motives of some people.

“I am, therefore, suing Enterprise Bank. They are going to have their day in court and I promise to give the proceedings maximum exposure.

“I also request that you investigate my claims. I shall be available for further details.”