Hon Justice Lateefa Abisola Okunnu of the Lagos High Court has ordered United Bank for Africa (UBA) to pay N10 million in general damages to a customer, Mr Anene Maximus Ozondili, for breach of the banker-customer relationship.
The claimant, Ozondili, told the court that the defendant, with whom he operates a bank account, has unlawfully restricted access to his account since 2021.
The account was allegedly placed under restriction without explanation.
He maintained that he was unaware of any circumstance that could have led to the restriction, noting that he had no pending case with any anti-graft agency.
He further stated that the bank failed to disclose any court order justifying the action.
Ozondili also averred that despite instructing his solicitors to demand an explanation, the defendant failed to respond, adding that the bank continued to deduct charges from the restricted account.
Citing “severe economic hardship” resulting from the restriction on an account used for business transactions, the claimant urged the court to order the bank to lift the lien and grant other reliefs, including post-judgment interest.
The statement of claim was filed on October 11, 2023.
In its defence, filed on January 30, 2024, UBA denied liability, arguing that the restriction was due to a pending suit marked LD/6349CCMW/19, involving the claimant, the bank, and other parties.
But the court disagreed with it. Delivering judgment, Justice Okunnu held: “There appears to be nothing from the defendant in terms of evidence to show when the account restriction was lifted.”
The court awarded N10 million damages against the defendant and ruled that interest on the judgment sum shall accrue at the rate of 10 per cent yearly from the date of judgment until full liquidation of the debt.
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