First Bank Customer Demands Swift Investigation into Unauthorized Account Access by Third Party
…Calls on CBN and Law Enforcement Agencies to Intervene and Ensure Justice
A customer of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Izogie Evanni Akugbe, has called for an urgent and comprehensive investigation into what he described as the illegal breach of his bank account, allegedly facilitated by some employees of the bank.
In a letter dated December 13, 2024, and signed by his legal representative, Ikeorha Kehinde, Mr. Akugbe expressed deep concern and disappointment over the unauthorized access to his account—number 3081431121—by an unknown individual, who allegedly acted in collusion with insiders at First Bank.
According to the petition submitted to the bank, Mr. Akugbe was alerted on December 10, 2024, by an anonymous source that sensitive personal data—including his account number, name, and Bank Verification Number (BVN)—had been obtained directly from First Bank staff.
Alarmingly, it was also disclosed that his full account statement and current balance were shared without his authorization.
“Our client is gravely concerned that this serious breach of confidentiality by First Bank has placed his life at risk. He now fears the threat of kidnapping and is experiencing severe mental and physical distress, including high blood pressure, insomnia, and anxiety—all of which have negatively impacted his health and disrupted his business operations,” the petition stated.
The petition further demanded a prompt and transparent investigation into the alleged misconduct by the bank’s employees and requested that a comprehensive report of the findings be forwarded to his legal team.
In its response, dated January 28, 2025, and signed by Legal Officer Maria Atoyebi from its Abuja office, First Bank acknowledged receipt of the petition and confirmed that the matter was under investigation.
“We have taken note of your client’s concerns as outlined in the petition. The issues raised are currently being reviewed, and the bank will respond appropriately based on the outcome of the investigation,” the response read.
However, more than three months after the bank’s official acknowledgment, Mr. Akugbe told our correspondent that there has been no further communication or visible effort to identify and prosecute those behind the breach.
“The silence from First Bank is deeply unsettling. I feel exposed and betrayed. This matter cannot be ignored or swept under the carpet,” he stated.
Mr. Akugbe is now appealing to regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and relevant law enforcement agencies, to step in and ensure accountability and justice in the matter.
