Fidelity Bank has issued a clarification to refute a viral news report from a prominent media platform, which falsely claimed that its Managing Director, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, confessed to paying N5 billion to evade police detention in connection with an over N19 billion fraud case.
In a press statement, the bank described the report as both false and malicious, firmly denying any such confession by Onyeali-Ikpe.
The statement, which was reviewed by Nairaconomy, also provided a detailed explanation of the events that transpired. The press statement read:
Our attention has been drawn to a publication on the Sahara Reporters website titled, “Fidelity Bank MD Onyeali-Ikpe Confesses to Paying N5 bn To Avoid Police Detention amid over N19bn Fraud Probe”.
We would like to state that this story categorically is patently false and has been maliciously written to deceive the public into believing that a N5 billion bail bond was payment to the Police to avoid detention.
While we are unable to comment on the substantive matter as it is before a competent court, we wish to state emphatically that there is no truth in the claims of the story.
The police invited the MD during their investigation into a matter reported by James Onyemenam against Mr. Ogo Whoba regarding the management of the accounts of Woobs Resources Limited. After taking her statement, the police requested the MD to sign a N5 billion bail bond, which she signed on self-recognisance.
It was the N5 billion bail bond, signed by the Managing Director that was referenced in her conversation with Mr. Ogo Whoba, which was recorded without her consent. At no time did the MD pay N5 billion to the Police to avoid detention; instead, she signed a bond as part of her bail requirements.
A copy of the bail bond is hereby attached and can also be verified from the Nigerian Police.
This mischievous allegation was presented to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in a petition written by Victor Ukutt on behalf of himself and Mr. Whoba. The IGP commissioned a detailed and independent investigation into the allegation and found same to be baseless.
As a leading financial institution with a long-standing commitment to strong corporate governance, we remain dedicated to adhering to the rule of law and maintaining the highest ethical standards in all our dealings.
