In his sworn statement, Mr. Omotade, a Canadian resident, alleged that UBA (the 1st defendant) released hard copies of the account statements to Omolara, Olawale, and Temitope Oladeinde Williams (named as the 2nd to 4th defendants) through ASP Sunday Oyegbata of the Nigerian Police Force, who is the 6th defendant in the case. The Inspector General of Police is also joined as the 5th defendant.
The leaked documents reportedly include two years of statements from Sir Charles’ current account (2019–2022), three years of joint account records with his widow (2018–2022), signature mandate forms, and additional statements from another savings account.
The plaintiffs, who obtained probate over Sir Charles’ estate on December 1, 2022, argue that UBA’s actions constituted a breach of trust, privacy, and fiduciary responsibility. They claim ASP Oyegbata misused his position to fraudulently obtain the bank records, which were subsequently used to “harass, malign, and defame” them.
“UBA’s failure to respond to our pre-action notices and its refusal to provide the outcome of its promised internal investigation further confirms the negligent and irresponsible attitude of the bank,” Omotade stated, according to NAIJAONPOINT .
In their affidavit, the plaintiffs assert that the bank’s actions not only breached their constitutional right to privacy as guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution but also violated Section 30 of the Data Protection Act, 2023.
“UBA willfully, recklessly, and negligently handed the said statements of account to the 2nd to 6th defendants without obtaining our authorization and/or any valid court order to do so,” Mr. Omotade said in the affidavit.
The plaintiffs further argue that UBA’s conduct has caused them emotional distress, reputational harm, and public embarrassment. They emphasize that, as a financial institution, the bank had a duty to safeguard customer information, especially in sensitive cases involving estates of deceased individuals.
The reliefs being sought include:
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A declaration that UBA breached their right to privacy under both the Nigerian Constitution and the Data Protection Act.
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A declaration that UBA failed in its fiduciary and professional duties by disclosing confidential bank records without consent.
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An order directing UBA to pay ₦1,000,000,000 in general damages for its alleged misconduct.
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A declaration that the 2nd to 6th defendants unlawfully obtained the plaintiffs’ financial information.
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An order compelling each of the 2nd to 6th defendants to also pay ₦1,000,000,000 in damages.
This legal development comes shortly after UBA was involved in another high-profile controversy. As previously reported by NAIJAONPOINT , a U.S.-based Nigerian, Ibhahe Hope Ehieribo, accused the bank of clearing ₦106,309,534.87 from his account based on a false death claim. Following intense public pressure, UBA refunded the full amount.
The ongoing case underscores rising concerns about data privacy, customer rights, and accountability within Nigeria’s banking sector.
The matter has been adjourned to July 22, 2025, for further hearing.