By Ebenezer Mabinuola
A major banking scandal involving over ₦106 million fraudulently withdrawn from a Nigerian customer’s account has ended in restitution — largely due to the advocacy of human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu.
The victim, Ibhahe Hope Ehieribo, who resides abroad, kept the funds in his United Bank for Africa (UBA) account. The shock came when fraudsters falsely declared him dead, presenting forged documents including a death certificate and a probate court order.
UBA, convinced by the fraudulent paperwork, released the funds into an “estate” account set up by the scammers.
But Ehieribo is alive — and when he discovered the fraud, he fought back.
The case gained national attention after Gwamnishu, widely known for using social media to expose injustice and corruption, amplified the incident on X (formerly Twitter). His viral posts triggered widespread public outrage, leading to swift action from UBA. On the morning of May 27, 2025, the bank refunded the full ₦106 million to the rightful account holder.
The depth of the fraud shocked many: forged legal documents, including a fake court probate order, were sufficient to deceive the bank into transferring a substantial sum. The case reveals troubling lapses in how banks verify sensitive documents in estate-related transactions.
Social media users were quick to credit Gwamnishu for the outcome. One viral comment noted, “UBA only refunded the money after Harrison’s viral posts,” highlighting the power of online advocacy in demanding accountability.
While the refund marks a victory for Ehieribo, serious questions remain. Many are now urging UBA to conduct a full internal investigation — not only to uncover how such a fraud succeeded, but to determine whether there was any internal collusion.
Beyond this case, the incident has triggered broader demands for reform. Critics are calling on Nigerian banks to overhaul their identity verification systems and adopt stricter protocols when handling claims involving death and probate.
This incident underscores the urgent need for transparency and due diligence in Nigeria’s financial sector – and how social accountability can be a powerful tool for justice.
