Journalist revealed how Ecobank connived with a fraudster named Joel, to use the BVN of Mr Anino Jonah Ghereje, who is not a customer, to open an account in their bank in his name

Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Journalist revealed how Ecobank connived with a fraudster named Joel, to use the BVN of Mr Anino Jonah Ghereje, who is not a customer, to open an account in their bank in his name. (Read More Here).

Taking to social media, popular Nigerian tabloid, PidomediaNigeria, revealed the Gist to his followers on Twitter. 

PidomediaNigeria wrote: “Ecobank @ecobank_nigeria connived with a fraudster named Joel, to use the BVN of Mr Anino Jonah Ghereje, who is not a customer, to open an account in their bank in his name. They later used the said account to obtain loans. The police @PoliceNG is trying to compromise this case.

“Mr Anino Jonah Ghereje who is based in Edo state, is into small scale livestock farming.

Due to the nature of his business, he takes this annual loan facility from his bank Sterling Bank Plc.

@Sterling_Bankng, & he has maintained a good credit rating with them for years.

“On the 13th of February 2021, Mr Jonah took his usual annual loan, from his bank, with maturity for January 2022, so he could commence his farming season for the year. But due to some projects he had planned for 2022 farming season, he paid up his loan in Nov even before maturity So he was expecting a mail from his bank, of non-indebtedness, which they normally send, whenever he finish paying back his loan. After which, he can apply for a new loan. But he waited without getting any mail. So he tried to apply for a loan. And he got a shocker.

“They sent him a mail on the 7th of December 2021, like he is a fraudster, that he is having an uncleared balance with Ecobank @ecobank_nigeria. He was shocked, because he has never had anything to do with Ecobank through out his life, talk more of borrowing money from them.

“He forwarded that mail from his bank Sterling Bank Plc @Sterling_Bankng, to Ecobank @ecobank_nigeria to demand for some sort of explanation. But he waited, without any feedback. So he went personally to an Ecobank branch along sapele Road, Benin city, Edo state. 

“He went there to complain, but they gave him no answer. Out of the confusion, he mailed his bank again, for more clarification. Because as far as he knows, he has had nothing to do with Ecobank, and so can not be indebted to them through an outstanding loan.

And they replied him This time they informed him that the complaint is from FIRST CENTRAL CREDIT BUREAU. Which means someone reported him, and his BVN has been flagged, and so he can not access any loan facility from any financial institution. And his credit record built over the years is now ruined.

“He went back to the same Ecobank @ecobank_nigeria branch, along sapele Road, in Benin. Where he insisted of not leaving the banking hall, until they tell him if he has an account with the bank, and how he got indebted to them. The branch manager had to confess to him.

“He quickly contacted a lawyer, who served the Ecobank a demand notice on the 13th of December 2021. With a 14 days ultimatum to furnish sterling bank the true position of things, how Mr Anino Jonah Ghereje, who is not a customer of Ecobank, got an account with them,and how he was able to access loans, and what loans. Ecobank @ecobank_nigeria replied, on the 20th of December 2021, Just 7 days after receiving the demand of Jonah’s lawyer. That they have commenced an internal investigation into the matter.

And it ended there.

“Days later Mr Anino Jonah Ghereje on the 24th of January 2022, got a mail from his bank Sterling @Sterling_Bankng of non-indebtedness, stating clearly that as of November 29th, 2021 he had paid up his loan. That his credit Bureau records will be updated. The mail was suspicious.

“Ecobank didn’t get back to Jonah’s lawyer over, but miraculously the mail for non-indebtedness was sent. That means someone paid back the loan, that got his BVN flagged. That same bad loan that tarnished his hard earned credit ratings. He insisted on getting to the root of it.

“He contacted another lawyer, who is an expert in Banking litigation. after six months, when Ecobank refused to reply his previous lawyer with their findings.

His new lawyer informed him that Ecobank refusal to reply is intentional. Because they are waiting for him to file a civil Lawsuit against them, since they know they are at fault. So once he files a civil lawsuit, the Bank will turn around to file a criminal case of conspiracy against Mr Anino Jonah Ghereje, and chase him away. That he will be the one in the begging side at the end.

“That it will be better to establish a criminal case of conspiracy, fraud, identity theft etc, against the bank, before filing any lawsuit. So on his advice, the Assistant Inspector General of Police @PoliceNG (AIG) Zone 5, Adesuwa Road, Benin City Edo state was petitioned.”