Following the dust raised by the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of over #4 million from the account of a deceased customer of the Ecobank Douglas Road branch, the Acting Manager of the bank who simply identified herself as, Mrs who resumed duty at the branch after the alleged fraudulent withdrawal said, though she was not on seat when the act was perpetrated, “it is likely that, the late Nnamdi Ezeoti may have given approval to the lady or used digital/online method to withdraw the money and that in that case there was nothing they could do. When she was told that the money was physically withdrawn with the collaboration of some bank staff who are no longer with the bank( suggesting the sudden absence of the Corporate Affairs Manager and the absence of the Manager which paved the way for her present acting position), she promised to find out more on that.
Recall that the family of late Ezeoti Nnmadi Benjamin, who hailed from Ibollo Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State has accused management and staff of Ecobank Nigeria Plc of complicity in the alleged withdrawal of #4million naira from the deceased’s account less than twenty four hours after his demise on August 20, 2017.
The family in a letter written by their lawyers, Awuka Okafor and company, dated August, 31st, 2017 and addressed to the Branch Manager, Ecobank PLC, Douglas Road, Owerri.
The matter which is now a subject of litigation in Suit No: HOW/826/2024 between Ezeoti Chuka Richard, Ezeoti Chizobam Linda, Ezeoti Peter Okwudili, Dr Okeke Nneka and Ecobank Nigeria PLC, Probate Registrar, High Court of Imo State as Plaintiffs and Defendants respectively has raised concerned in several quarters about the safety of public funds in some banks.
The Defendants in their statement of claim, alleged that the deceased had over #100 million in his account before his demise interstate adding that the bank has refused to give detailed account of the money.
They also accused Ecobank PLC of refusal to complete and issue them a Bank Certificate with which to sort out issues at the Probate Registry.
They also alleged that despite informing the bank of their relative’s demise and the need not to allow any person access to his funds, the bank purportedly connived with a,Lady who claimed to be the deceased’s third wife to withdraw the sum of #4 million in questionable circumstances. Their statement of claim reads in part, “the deceased EZEOTI NNAMDI BENJAMIN lived in Owerri, Imo State where he was doing his business before his death on the 12th day of August, 2017. His Death Certificate will be founded upon at the Trial of this Suit.
Investigation by Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper reveals that most staff of Ecobank who played one official role or the other at its Douglas Road, Owerri branch at the time of the controversial transaction were hurriedly transferred to different branches of the bank in a move that many have described as a plot to cover their tracks and bring investigation into the matter to a dead end. For instance, the current branch Manager and Acting General Manager…in their seperate responses claimed ignorance of the transaction because it happened before they came on board.
They also alleged that the bank is being economical with the truth, pointing out that their unethical conduct will definitely undermine public trust and confidence”.
