Fidelity Bank Plc has firmly refuted a report published by Sahara Reporters alleging that its Managing Director, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, confessed to paying ₦5 billion to avoid police detention in connection with an ongoing fraud investigation.
The publication, titled “Fidelity Bank MD Onyeali-Ikpe Confesses to Paying ₦5Billion To Avoid Police Detention Amid Over ₦19Billion Fraud Probe,” has been described by the bank as “patently false and maliciously written to mislead the public.”
In a statement released on Monday, the bank clarified that while the matter referenced is currently before a competent court of law and therefore sub judice, there is no truth to the claims suggesting any form of payment to the Police by the MD.
The bank explained that Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe was invited by the Police as part of their investigation into a petition filed by James Onyemenam against Mr. Ogo Whoba concerning the management of Woobs Resources Limited’s accounts. Following her voluntary appearance and the provision of a statement, the MD was granted bail on self-recognizance, with a ₦5 billion bail bond signed as standard procedure.
“It is this bail bond, signed purely as a condition of her release, that was referenced in her private conversation with Mr. Ogo Whoba a conversation which was recorded without her consent,” the statement clarified.
Fidelity Bank further revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), upon receiving a petition from Mr. Victor Ukutt (acting on behalf of Mr. Whoba), ordered an independent and thorough investigation into the allegations.
The investigation concluded that the claims were baseless and without merit.
“As a responsible and leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank remains committed to the highest standards of corporate governance, ethical conduct, and the rule of law,” the statement concluded.
