Fidelity Bank Plc has debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that its Managing Director, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, paid ₦5 billion to avoid police detention in connection with a ₦19 billion fraud investigation. The bank described the report as “false, misleading, and malicious,” stating that the claims were a misrepresentation of facts.
The online platform had claimed that Onyeali-Ikpe confessed to making a ₦5 billion payment to the Nigeria Police Force during an ongoing investigation into a case involving the management of accounts belonging to Woobs Resources Limited.
In a statement issued on Monday, Fidelity Bank clarified that while its Managing Director was invited by the police as part of a legitimate investigation stemming from a petition by Mr. James Onyemenam against Mr. Ogo Whoba, she never made any financial payment to the police.
“After giving her statement, the police requested the MD to sign a ₦5 billion bail bond, which she signed on self-recognizance. This was not a monetary transaction but a routine bail requirement,” the statement said.
The bank further revealed that the conversation in which the MD referenced the bail bond was secretly recorded by Mr. Whoba without her consent and subsequently distorted to mislead the public.
Fidelity Bank also disclosed that the allegation had been previously investigated by the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), following a petition by Mr. Victor Ukutt on behalf of Mr. Whoba. The IGP reportedly ordered a detailed and independent investigation which found the bribery allegation to be baseless and lacking merit.
“As a responsible financial institution with a long-standing reputation for strong corporate governance, Fidelity Bank remains committed to the rule of law and ethical business practices,” the bank stated.
The bank urged the public to disregard the publication and expressed confidence in the judicial process to address the matter appropriately.