Businessman sues bank over alleged N12.2m fraud

By Dennis Agbo

ONITSHA—AN Onitsha-based car dealer, Gostar Investment Limited, has dragged the United Bank for Africa, UBA Plc, to court for alleged fraudulent transaction involving N12.2 million.

When the case came up at an Onitsha High Court, the presiding Judge, Justice B. C. Anulude, adjourned it for a pre-trial conference.
In its statement of claim, Gostar stated that on 21 May 2009, a group which identified itself as National Human Rights League of Nigeria approached it with the intention of buying three vehicles, where upon Gostar advised the company to pay the value of the cars into its bank account with UBA, 00380030004329 and that the cars  be supplied on confirmation of the payment.
This was done and the payment was confirmed by one Nwanneka Ijezie, an account officer of the bank, prompting Gostar to release the cars to the company.

One of the directors of the company also validated the payment at the New Market Road branch of the bank.
However, when one of the directors of Gostar, Mr. Ebele Onyeji, went to withdraw the money at Bida Road branch of the bank in Onitsha, he was delayed by the bank and was told that the amount which was already confirmed by the bank to have been credited was not duly credited into the account of the company.