Quick Summary:
Lagos State High Court orders Access Bank to pay ₦2 million in damages to Chinedu Udezue for unlawfully restricting his account, spotlighting recurring issues of unjustified “post-no-debit” orders in Nigeria’s banking sector.
A Lagos State High Court has ordered Access Bank Plc to pay ₦2 million in damages to a customer, Chinedu Udezue, for unlawfully restricting his bank account without valid justification.
The judgment, delivered in September 2025, declared the bank’s action unlawful and directed the immediate lifting of the restrictions placed on Udezue’s account.
According to reports from the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the bank has allegedly delayed compliance with the court’s directives, prolonging the customer’s inability to access his funds.
Summary of the Case
The Ruling
The court found that Access Bank’s restriction on Udezue’s account violated his rights and lacked any legal or regulatory basis. It ordered the bank to pay ₦2 million in general damages for the infringement.
The Order
A perpetual injunction was issued, restraining Access Bank from imposing any further restrictions on Udezue’s account without a valid court order.
Bank’s Status
Despite the ruling, reports indicate that Access Bank has yet to fully comply, both in lifting the restriction and paying the awarded damages, leaving the customer in continued financial distress.
Broader Implications
The AccessBankCourtRuling2025 highlights a growing pattern of arbitrary “post-no-debit” orders by Nigerian banks, often executed without prior notice or clear justification.
Legal experts argue that such practices violate customers’ fundamental rights to property and fair hearing, as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.
Consumer rights advocates have called for stronger regulatory oversight by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that account restrictions are lawfully applied and promptly reviewed when challenged.