The date was June 13, 2026 and the time was 1.30 pm. I was busy, as online newspaper editor, downloading news items for editing from sources around the internet, including items sent by our accredited and freelance reporters from across the world. I used to do that twice a day; from 11.30 am to 3pm and 9.30pm to 11.30pm for publication.
Just as I was browsing the internet, a strange code suddenly appeared on the screen of my Android phone, blocking me from further access to the screen. Just as I was wondering what was happening, a sound of Bank alert rang out at the background of the blocked screen. Because the strange code had shut me out of the screen, I couldn’t immediately know what was the alert for and from which of my two Banks: First Bank Nigeria and United Bank for Africa (UBA). After some maneuvering, I was able to capture the message as coming from First Bank Nigeria and the amount that was debited, which was reasonably large. The fraud star, whose name I captured as Ishaq Ibrahim left only N3,000 balance in the account.
Within 15 minutes, I sent a message about what happened via my wife’s phone to the customized customers’ service email. I gave details of the strange and unauthorized transactions on my account to the online customer service. There was a quick response from the email to let me know that action was being taken.
I was curious to know the account details into which my money was moved, for I only got the name of the fraud star; Ishaq Ibrahim but not the account number and the Bank to which the money was moved.
As there was no immediate response and because it was weekend (Saturday and Sunday), I patiently waited for Monday, June 15, to go physically to formally lodge the report.
And, on that Monday, I was one of the early arrivals at the Bank’s branch in Kuje, in Abuja, the Nigeria Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
I was surprised when the branch manager, after listening to me, said that he would have to put a request to the Head office of the Bank before he would supply me the account details into which my money was transfered, eventhough he confirmed the name of the fraud star as Ishaq Ibrahim.
About three hours later, another message, dated June 15 with reference code CRM:0132718 was sent through the Bank’s customer service on the internet, titled: “Case has been resolved.”
The message went on:
Please note that your Complaint with reference number FBN-0130626190241010698025 titled FirstMobile – Unauthorised withdrawals_ Mobile Banking has been Solved with the resolution provided.
We empathize with the customer.
Kindly note that the investigation is ongoing, and mail has been sent to PAGA for possible recoup of funds
The disputed transaction was carried out via the First Mobile app.
The enrolment dynamics on the First Mobile app requires the submission of the ATM card PAN linked to the account, ATM card PIN, OTP before the profile can be created and linked to the account.
The details of the beneficiaries have been attached
ENTRY DATE: 06/13/2026 13:30:58
DESTINATION BANK CODE: 100002
SESSIONID: 000016260613133054002174056195
ACCOUNT NAME: Ishaq Ibrahim
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0088243601
AMOUNT: – provided
We have requested that a PND be placed on the account for possible arrest and recovery of funds from the beneficiary bank.
Kindly deactivate the unauthorized First Mobile profile and ATM card linked to the account.
The Bank is not liable for the fraudulent transaction as the customer compromised her confidential details in variance with the Bank’s directives.
We appreciate your patience.
Should you have any further concerns regarding the resolution provided or any dissatisfaction with how your Complaint was handled, please visit the nearest branch or send an e-mail to complaintsunit@firstbanknigeria.com within 48 hours of receiving this notification.
We value your feedback and are committed to addressing any outstanding issues promptly.
You can also send your escalation to contact@fccpc.gov.ng or cpd@cbn.gov.ng.
If we do not hear from you within the specified time frame, the request will be marked as RESOLVED and closed.
Kindly note that this is a no-reply email address.
Thank you for choosing FirstBank.
I was being soothed by the words from the Bank until I got to the passage which goes thus: “The Bank is not liable for the fraudulent transaction as the customer compromised her confidential details in variance with the Bank’s directives.”
Because I knew for sure that I have never ever compromised my Bank details even with my wife who’s the closest to me, in the past over 20 years with the First Bank, I was forced to write to the Bank, demanding the refund of my money within 36 hours. One of the sentences in my letter goes thus: “I therefore wonder how and why the system of the First Bank Nigeria Plc would allow such easy penetration of my account as stated above.”
By providing me the email address of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and advising me to”escalate” my complain to it, I felt challenged. And apart from heeding the advice and getting to the CBN with my complain, I asked my lawyer to start the process of seeking redress and damages in the court of law.
This was because from my initial encounter with the First Bank, especially at its Kuje FCT branch, I developed a strong feeling that the unauthorized debit of my money is an insider’s job.
To say the leas, I’m highly disappointed in the First Bank which I had so trusted that I could give it the most valuable thing in my life to keep without looking back.
