OPay is reportedly facing mounting scandals as fraud cases and legal disputes erode public trust.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that OPay, one of Nigeria’s most prominent fintech platforms, is facing a growing wave of public backlash and regulatory scrutiny following a string of fraud allegations, customer rights violations, and court disputes that have severely dented its credibility.
Once hailed as a symbol of innovation in Nigeria’s digital payment space, OPay is now battling to contain a deepening crisis that exposes weaknesses in its compliance systems and raises serious concerns about user safety and accountability.
Between January and July 2025, the company has been repeatedly linked to high-profile legal controversies and financial misconduct claims. Despite OPay’s assurances of maintaining strong financial security protocols, fraudsters have exploited its platform, while unresolved customer disputes continue to pile up.
In one major case, the Director of OPay Digital Services Limited, Mr. Wuritka Dauda, is facing contempt of court charges for allegedly defying judicial orders related to a ₦95 million fraud case. The matter, which dates back to November 2024, has reinforced public perceptions that OPay’s internal governance and legal compliance mechanisms are alarmingly weak.
Adding to its troubles, OPay has been indirectly caught in the crossfire of terrorism financing concerns after the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) named 15 individuals and two entities for allegedly funding terrorism. Although OPay was not directly listed, financial analysts have warned that the development exposes how vulnerable fintech platforms like OPay are to exploitation by extremist networks, raising doubts about its Know Your Customer (KYC) and monitoring systems.
In another controversy, OPay was ordered by the Osun State High Court to unfreeze the account of a Nigerian in Saudi Arabia, Muhammed Jamiu Abass, after blocking a ₦3 million donation meant for mosque construction. The court found that OPay had violated Abass’s fundamental rights and imposed ₦500,000 in damages after the company ignored multiple court notices. This incident sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing OPay of excessive account restrictions and disregard for due process.
Similarly, businessman Suleiman Mohammed Dikwa filed a lawsuit against OPay at the Jos High Court over an alleged unauthorized deduction of ₦28,592.92 and freezing of his account without proper communication. Dikwa is seeking ₦30 million in damages, claiming the transaction was illegally executed under a misapplied Kaduna Sharia Court order.
These recurring incidents have fueled growing calls for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to intensify regulatory oversight of fintech operations across the country. Industry observers argue that OPay’s mounting scandals point to deeper flaws in Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem—where rapid growth has often outpaced accountability, transparency, and consumer protection.
As confidence erodes, OPay’s once-promising image as a trusted digital banking solution now hangs in the balance. What was once celebrated as a breakthrough in financial inclusion is quickly becoming a cautionary tale about unchecked fintech expansion, weak user safeguards, and the cost of neglecting regulatory discipline in Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital economy.