UBA Bank Ordered to Refund ₦204k and Pay ₦5M Damages for Unauthorized Debits by Court

The judgment, delivered by District Judge Ekwoaba Anthony Chigozie on April 14, 2025, found UBA negligent in failing to prevent fraudulent transactions, marking a significant victory for consumer protection in Nigeria’s banking sector.

The case, Ekebire Jonah v. United Bank for Africa Plc & Anor (Suit No: CV/WZII/9928/2023), stemmed from unauthorized transactions totaling N204,129 on Jonah’s UBA account (Account No: 2081183179) between May 31 and June 1, 2021. Jonah claimed that UBA breached its duty of care by allowing the debits—two transactions of N100,053.75 each on May 31, 2021, and N3,010.75 and N1,010.75 on June 1, 2021—despite his prompt complaints. The bank (UBA) alleged the funds were transferred to an account at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) belonging to Aminu Hassan Anslem, whom Jonah did not know.

Jonah sought eight reliefs, including a declaration of UBA’s duty of care, affirmation of its breach, a refund of the debited sum, N5 million in general damages, and N1.5 million for litigation costs. The trial began after Jonah filed his plaint on September 1, 2023, with UBA defending the case, while Anslem, the second defendant, neither appeared nor filed a defense.

Jonah testified and tendered three exhibits:

• Exhibit A1: His UBA bank statement from May 31 to June 1, 2021, showing the unauthorized debits.
• Exhibit A2: A June 17, 2021, email from UBA acknowledging his complaint, with a certificate of compliance.
• Exhibit A3: A January 19, 2022, complaint letter to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Department.

Jonah recounted reporting the initial debits to UBA’s Utako branch on May 31, 2021, filling a complaint form, and being assured a refund. Despite UBA restricting his account, further debits occurred on June 1, 2021, while he was in the banking hall withdrawing N50,000 over the counter. He argued that UBA failed to detach his account from its mobile banking platform or block his debit card, allowing the fraudulent transactions to persist.