N1bn lawsuit hits UBA over alleged breach of customer privacy

One of the major commercial banks in the country, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has been sued for ₦1 billion over claims that it disclosed the confidential financial records of a late customer and his widow without authorization.

The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos and presided over by Justice Lewis Allagoa, was initiated by Mrs. Iyabo Fadairo, Mr. Lanre Omotade, and Mrs. Gloria Obafunke Williams.

The trio, who assert they are the legal executors of the estate of the late businessman Sir (Dr.) Charles Oladeinde Williams, accuse the bank of breaching privacy and fiduciary duties.

According to the plaintiffs, UBA allegedly provided sensitive banking details to three relatives of the deceased—Omolara, Olawale, and Temitope Oladeinde Williams—as well as a serving police officer, ASP Sunday Oyegbata. The Inspector General of Police is also listed among the defendants.

Mr. Omotade, in a sworn affidavit, stated that UBA released hard copies of account statements and related documents belonging to both the late Sir Charles and his widow. The plaintiffs maintain that these disclosures were made without their consent or any court order, and that the individuals involved exploited their access to the documents for improper purposes.

READ ALSO:How bank staff assisted hackers to attack 6 financial institutions  -Olukoyede

The contested documents reportedly include two years of records from Sir Charles’ personal current account (2019–2022), three years of statements from a joint account held with his widow (2018–2022), mandate forms for that joint account, and nearly a year of activity on another savings account.

The claimants emphasized that they had secured probate on December 1, 2022, officially granting them control over the deceased’s estate. They argue that UBA acted unlawfully and irresponsibly in releasing the bank records without consulting them.

They also allege that ASP Oyegbata used his official position to wrongfully obtain the documents, which were then used to intimidate and damage their reputations.

“UBA’s failure to respond to our pre-action notices and its refusal to provide the outcome of its promised internal investigation further confirms the negligent and irresponsible attitude of the bank,” Omotade added.

In addition to accusing the bank of breaching professional obligations, the plaintiffs say the disclosure also violated their constitutional and legal rights to privacy.

“The bank, by releasing those sensitive documents without our consent or any valid court order, breached its fiduciary duty and our right to privacy,” Mr. Omotade stated in his affidavit.

“This disclosure, especially of the joint account with Mrs. Gloria Williams, has caused us embarrassment as our private affairs are now in the public glare because of the negligence of UBA.

“UBA willfully, recklessly, and negligently handed the said statements of account to the 2nd to 6th defendants without obtaining our authorization and/or any valid court order to do so.

“As a financial institution, the bank owes us a fiduciary duty and duty of care. However, through its actions, the bank has evidently breached both essential duties owed to us.

“UBA and others, by their acts, have breached our rights to privacy as guaranteed by Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 30 of the Data Protection Act, 2023.”

They further claim that the bank’s negligence resulted in both emotional distress and reputational harm.

Among the reliefs sought are a court declaration that UBA violated their privacy rights under Nigerian law and that it breached its duty of care. They are also demanding ₦1 billion in general damages from the bank for what they describe as reckless conduct.

Additionally, the plaintiffs are asking the court to hold the 2nd to 6th defendants liable for unlawfully obtaining and using their banking details, and to award another ₦1 billion in damages against them.

This legal challenge comes not long after UBA was publicly criticized in a separate case involving Ibhahe Hope Ehieribo, a U.S.-based Nigerian customer who accused the bank of clearing over ₦106 million from his account based on a false death report. Following online backlash, the bank eventually refunded the full sum.

The case involving the estate of Sir Charles Oladeinde Williams is expected to continue on July 22, 2025.