United Bank for Africa Plc, UBA Plc, is facing a ₦1 billion lawsuit over allegations that it unlawfully released confidential bank statements of a deceased customer and his widow to unauthorized parties.
Just recently, the bank was also embroiled in another controversy after a customer, Ibhahe Hope Ehieribo, a U.S.-based Nigerian, accused the lender of unlawfully clearing ₦106,309,534.87 from his savings account. The withdrawal, he claimed, was based on a false report that he had died while living abroad. Following public outcry and pressure on social media, UBA eventually returned the full amount to Ehieribo.
The ₦1 billion 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 plaintiffs alleged that they are the legally appointed executors of deceased businessman, Sir (Dr.) Charles Oladeinde Williams.
The plaintiffs accused UBA of “negligently, recklessly, and maliciously” releasing sensitive financial records to three of the deceased’s relatives and a police officer without their consent or a valid court order.
In his sworn statement, Mr. Omotade, who resides in Canada, alleged that UBA — listed as the 1st defendant — handed over hard copies of account statements and other documents belonging to the deceased and his widow, Mrs. Gloria Williams, to one Omolara, Olawale, and Temitope Oladeinde Williams, identified as the 2nd to 4th defendants. These individuals reportedly obtained the documents through the alleged actions of ASP Sunday Oyegbata, a serving officer of the Nigerian Police Force, named as the 6th defendant, along with the Inspector General of Police as the 5th defendant.
According to the suit, the released documents include: Two years’ worth of statements from Sir Charles’ current account (2019–2022); three years of joint account statements with his widow (2018–2022); signature mandate forms for the joint account and eleven months of statements from another personal savings account.
The plaintiffs contend that they had obtained probate to manage Sir Charles’ estate on December 1, 2022, giving them full legal authority over his financial affairs.
They stress that UBA’s release of the documents was done without authorization and accuse ASP Oyegbata of using his office to fraudulently procure the records, which were then allegedly used to “harass, malign, and defame” them.
Despite sending multiple legal notices beginning in July 2023 through their solicitors, Bamidele Ibironke & Co., the plaintiffs claim that UBA has failed to offer any explanation or justification for its actions.
“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 added.
The plaintiffs say the bank’s action not only breached the fiduciary duty owed to them as customers but also infringed on their constitutional and statutory rights to privacy.
“The bank, by releasing those sensitive documents without our consent or any valid court order, breached its fiduciary duty and our right to privacy,” Mr. Omotade stated in his affidavit.
“This disclosure, especially of the joint account with Mrs. Gloria Williams, has caused us embarrassment as our private affairs are now in the public glare because of the negligence of UBA.
“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.
“As a financial institution, the bank owes us a fiduciary duty and duty of care. However, through its actions, the bank has evidently breached both essential duties owed to us.
“UBA and others, by their acts, have breached our rights to privacy as guaranteed by Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 30 of the Data Protection Act, 2023.”
The plaintiffs maintain that the bank, by virtue of its relationship with them, was duty-bound to protect their financial information and that its failure has led to significant emotional and reputational damage.
In the suit, the plaintiffs are seeking:
A declaration that UBA breached their right to privacy as guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 30 of the Data Protection Act, 2023.
A declaration that UBA breached its fiduciary and professional duty of care by releasing confidential bank records to unauthorized persons.
An order directing UBA to pay ₦1,000,000,000 (One Billion Naira) as general damages for its alleged negligent and reckless conduct in disclosing the plaintiffs’ bank statements.
A declaration that the 2nd to 6th defendants, Omolara, Olawale, Temitope Oladeinde Williams, the IGP and ASP Oyegbata breached the plaintiffs’ right to privacy by maliciously, fraudulently, and deceitfully procuring their bank statements without authorization.
An order directing Omolara, Olawale, Temitope Oladeinde Williams, the IGP and ASP Oyegbata to each pay ₦1,000,000,000 (One Billion Naira) as damages for their role in unlawfully obtaining and misusing the plaintiffs’ financial information.
As the case proceeds before Justice Allagoa, the plaintiffs are not only seeking monetary compensation but also legal clarity on the responsibilities of financial institutions in safeguarding customer data.
The case has been adjourned to July 22, 2025.