UBA Bank Sued Over Alleged Fraudulent COVID-19 Loans, Unauthorized Account Deductions

Chinedu Nwoke, a customer of United Bank for Africa (UBA), has filed a lawsuit against the bank and NISRAL Microfinance Bank at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, alleging unauthorized deductions from his account tied to a N700,000 COVID-19 relief loan he insists he never applied for or received.

In his legal petition, Nwoke claims the disputed loan—processed using his Bank Verification Number (BVN)—resulted in his accounts and BVN being blacklisted across Nigeria’s banking system, barring him from accessing financial services. He denies any involvement in the transaction and accuses the institutions of fraudulent activity.

During the case’s initial hearing on Friday, Nwoke’s legal representative, Mr. Chinedu Iheanacho, requested an adjournment to prepare for substantive proceedings. Justice Ayo Emmanuel, presiding over the matter, adjourned the case to March 31 for further hearing.

The defendants, UBA and NISRAL Microfinance Bank, were represented in court by Mr. Precious John, standing in for lead defense counsel Mr. Evaristus Ozioko.

Nwoke seeks redress for the financial and reputational damage caused by the alleged unauthorized withdrawal and subsequent banking restrictions. The case highlights growing concerns over accountability in loan disbursements and BVN-linked transactions within Nigeria’s financial sector.

(NAN)