A combined photo of Ibhahe Hope Ehieribo and UBA logo
By Abdullahi Abubakar
Some Nigerians are stiff worried and may consider closing down their accounts with the United Bank For Africa (UBA) over how an account holder, Ibhahe Hope Ehieribo became depressed and disorganised after a whooping sum of over N100 million vanished from his account.
Ehieribo who recently returned home after years of working and residing abroad is accusing UBA of gross negligence after discovering over N100 million was allegedly siphoned from his account. The shocking depletion, he claims, occurred after a false death certificate was presented, leading to the fraudulent withdrawal of his life savings while he was out of the country.
UBA account holders, Victory Oghenechoja E and Sylvia Godspower are contemplating closing down their accounts due to this development.
The allegation surfaced during a live video call with human rights advocate, Gwamnishu Harrison, who has pledged legal support to help the victim seek redress.
According to Ehieribo, the incident occurred in 2023 while he was still residing overseas. He explained that he had been saving consistently into his UBA account, making deposits multiple times each year.
However, upon his return to Nigeria, Ehieribo was stunned to learn from bank officials that his entire savings had been withdrawn. The funds, he was told, had been accessed by individuals who claimed he had passed away and was already buried.
The returnee recounted that when he visited the bank to demand clarification, police officers were already on standby, allegedly to arrest him for causing a disturbance.
He insisted that he merely raised his voice in shock and frustration after learning that his life savings had vanished.
Harrison has described the development as a clear violation of the customer’s rights and has vowed to take legal action against the financial institution.
At the time of filing this report, UBA had yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
However, Harrison later disclosed that the bank headquarters reached out to him and assured that it was on the issue.
“UBA headquarters have reached out. Let me sit and do a video update. UBA is utterly confused and shouting in dismay. The man’s wife resides abroad, and he does not have sisters. The beneficiaries of his over 100 million naira are Patience and Precious. My man does not know any of them.
“UBA bank reached out and they assured they are on his matter. It will interest you to know that before the money was awarded to unknown recipients, they obtained a Death certificate of a living being and went to probate at the high court to obtain a court order.
“Currently, the name the bank officials mentioned to us were the recipient, the victim, doesn’t know them. Please tag Central Bank of Nigeria and UBA Group.
“The bank will be held liable. They know what happened,” the activist claimed.
