A Nigerian footballer, Tochukwu Christian
Nigerian Footballer, Tochukwu Christian
has raised questions about the level of banking security available at the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
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His queries come after he lost a whooping sum of ₦12.3 million from his account with UBA.
He alleged that the money simply disappeared from his account, even as he alleged his account officer of complicity in the way the money was stolen.
Demanding justice, Christian who accused UBA of negligence revealed that his account with the bank was breached as a result of security failure, adding that he has struggled to recover the money with no success.
Speaking on the popular podcast Lucky Udu, Christian, said that UBA had failed to provide a clear explanation of how the money vanished from his account. He alleged that his account officer, Chinecheram Mercy, who works with the bank, was responsible for the breach and theft of his funds. He alleged that he entrusted Mercy with his banking activities due to his busy schedule.
Recounting how he met Mercy in 2020, Christian said she persuaded him to open an account with UBA. He added that he was initially hesitant due to his frequent travels, but he eventually agreed.
“She kept on disturbing me to open an account with UBA. When I finally did, I trusted her to assist with my banking needs,” he explained.
Christian revealed that during one of his trips abroad, he lost his SIM card, which was linked to his bank alerts. He added that he reached out to Mercy for help, and she advised him to open a new account. He said that he asked her whether he could operate two UBA accounts simultaneously, and she assured him it was possible.
“She requested my details and even helped me open a new email account for the new bank account. She also obtained my BVN from my other bank, Access Bank,” Christian stated.
The footballer said that he became alarmed and suspicious when Mercy later contacted him, asking if he was behind a series of withdrawals from his old account. Christian said he told her that since he was abroad and was not receiving alerts for that account due to the lost SIM card, he was unaware of the transactions. However, he added that he was receiving notifications from the new account.
Christian said that upon returning to Nigeria, he immediately visited a UBA branch to report the unauthorized transactions. He claimed the bank dismissed his complaints, stating that he needed to speak with his account officer.
“I got Chinecheram Mercy arrested, but she was released without any resolution or refund of my money,” he lamented.
Also, the footballer said that not long after the unauthorized transactions, Mercy opened a thriving business and got married. He noted that his suspicion was heightened after he realized that she did everything the same year his money went missing.
Christian announced that he is set to seek legal redress in court against the duo of UBA and Mercy to recover his lost funds.
Efforts to reach Ramon Nasir, Group Head, Media and External Relations of the United Bank for Africa for a reaction to the allegation were unsuccessful, as he wasn’t responding to his calls.
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