The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is facing a ₦1 billion lawsuit for allegedly releasing the confidential bank records of a deceased customer and his widow to unauthorized individuals without a valid court order.
The suit, currently before Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, was filed by Mrs. Iyabo Fadairo, Mr. Lanre Omotade, and Mrs. Gloria Obafunke Williams—the legally appointed executors of the estate of the late Sir (Dr.) Charles Oladeinde
Williams.
In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs allege that
UBA negligently and unlawfully handed over two years’ worth of bank statements
and other sensitive financial documents belonging to the deceased and his widow
to three relatives and a police officer. The individuals identified as Omolara,
Olawale, and Temitope Oladeinde Williams, reportedly obtained the records
through the involvement of ASP Sunday Oyegbata, a serving police officer, and
the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The released documents allegedly include:
Two years of statements from Sir Charles’ current account
(2019–2022),
Three years of joint account statements with his widow
(2018–2022),
Signature mandate forms, and
Eleven months of statements from a personal savings
account.
According to Mr. Omotade, who resides in Canada, the
actions were carried out without the plaintiffs’ authorisation, despite their
legal authority to manage the deceased’s estate following the grant of probate
in December 2022.
The plaintiffs argue that UBA’s actions violate their
right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and
Section 30 of the Data Protection Act, 2023, and represent a breach of the
bank’s fiduciary and professional duties.
Despite several pre-litigation notices sent by their
legal counsel, Bamidele Ibironke & Co., beginning in July 2023, UBA has
allegedly failed to respond or offer any explanation, further deepening the
plaintiffs’ concerns about the bank’s conduct.
In addition to UBA, the plaintiffs are also suing the
three relatives, ASP Oyegbata, and the IGP for allegedly procuring and misusing
the private financial data “maliciously and fraudulently.”
The plaintiffs are seeking:
A declaration that UBA and the other defendants breached
their right to privacy;
An order for UBA to pay ₦1
billion in general damages for the alleged unauthorised disclosure;
An order directing the 2nd to 6th defendants to each pay ₦1
billion in damages for their alleged role in the data breach.
The lawsuit comes on the heels of a recent controversy in
which a U.S.-based Nigerian, Ibhahe Hope Ehieribo, accused UBA of unlawfully
withdrawing over ₦106 million from his account
based on a false report of his death. The bank later refunded the money
following public backlash.
The current matter has been adjourned to July 22, 2025,
for further hearing.
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