Fidelity Bank CEO Denies Paying N5bn Bribe to Police for Release

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The chief executive of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, has dismissed reports that she paid a bribe of N5 billion to secure her release from the police.

On Monday, a phone conversation between Mrs Onyeali-Ikpe and a customer of the bank, Mr Ogo Whoba, was leaked to the internet.

It was alleged that she paid N5 billion to the police to escape being detained during an investigation into a matter involving the account of a customer, Woobs Resources Limited.

One Mr James Onyemenam had asked the police to probe Mr Whoba over the management of Woobs Resources’ account.

As part of its probe, the police invited Mrs Onyeali-Ikpe for questioning and she was asked to pay a bail bond of N5 billion, according to a statement issued by Fidelity Bank on Monday after the leaked phone conversation.

The financial institution disclosed that its CEO was asked to sign the bail bond on her recognizance, emphasising that it was never a bribe.

The lender described the reports as false and mischievous, saying it was meant to mislead the public into believing a bribe was paid.

“The police invited the MD during their investigation into a complaint made by James Onyemenam against Mr Ogo Whoba over the management of Woobs Resources’ account. After taking her statement, the police asked the MD to sign a N5 billion bail bond on her recognizance.

“It is this bond — not a bribe — that was referenced in a phone conversation with Mr Ogo Whoba, which was secretly and unlawfully recorded.

“At no time did the MD pay N5 billion to the Police to avoid detention; signing the bond was simply a standard part of her release conditions,” the statement from Fidelity Bank stated.

It also explained that the same false claim had previously been raised in a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, by Mr Victor Ukutt on behalf of Mr Whoba.

According to the financial institution, the police chief investigated the matter thoroughly and dismissed it as baseless.