A customer and First Tirad Global Resources Ltd have sued First City Monument Bank (FCMB) for ₦5bn over the alleged unauthorised disclosure of the company’s bank statement to a third party.
The suit, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, accuses the bank of breaching customer confidentiality and exposing sensitive financial and personal information.
The claimants alleged that the disclosure occurred without their knowledge, consent or authorisation, exposing confidential commercial records and personal information belonging to the company’s majority shareholder.
In the suit marked FCT/HC/NY/255/2026, the claimants stated that the company maintained a corporate account with FCMB, with the second claimant as its sole authorised signatory.
According to the statement of claim, a third party contacted a former FCMB account officer, identified as Taofeeq Are, through WhatsApp on April 8, 2026, requesting the company’s account statement covering January 1 to April 8, 2026.
The claimants alleged that a serving account officer, identified as Olutunde Oyasola, subsequently generated the statement and sent screenshots to Are, who allegedly forwarded them to the third party.
They argued that the disclosure violated the bank’s duty to protect customers’ confidential financial and commercial information.
The second claimant also alleged that the statement contained details of a rent payment that exposed her residential address and compromised her personal privacy.
The claimants said they subsequently lodged a complaint with FCMB, demanding an investigation into how the statement was obtained and shared.
They further alleged that the bank, in a letter dated July 8, 2026, described the disclosure as “wholly unauthorised” and inconsistent with its internal policies, data protection obligations and ethical standards.
According to the claimants, FCMB also acknowledged in the letter that Oyasola had generated the statement and shared screenshots with Are, who then forwarded them to the third party.
The claimants are asking the court to declare the alleged disclosure unlawful and a breach of the bank’s duty of confidentiality.
They are also seeking declarations that the incident violated applicable privacy and data protection obligations, as well as an order holding FCMB liable for negligence and the actions or omissions of its employees.
The ₦5bn claim covers general, aggravated and/or exemplary damages for alleged breach of confidentiality, negligence, invasion of privacy, breach of contractual and statutory obligations, and the losses and business exposure they claim to have suffered.
They are further seeking an injunction restraining the bank and other relevant parties from further disclosing, circulating or using the disputed statement, as well as an order directing FCMB to pay the cost of the action.
The claimants also want the court to declare that the subsequent use of the disputed statement in court proceedings caused additional prejudice to their interests.
The allegations have yet to be determined by the court. FCMB had not filed a response to the claims as of the time of the report.
