Charles Adewale Oyelade, a Nigerian citizen, has accused First Bank of Nigeria of fraudulent and oppressive practices, alleging that the bank imposed an illegal debt running into millions of naira on his salary account and is now coercing him to repay it.
According to Oyelade, the issue began when the bank allegedly placed an unauthorized debt in his account and merged it with an existing loan, making it nearly impossible for him to service the original loan. Despite repeated efforts to have the matter resolved directly with the bank, his pleas were ignored, prompting him to seek legal redress.
“When it became clear that the bank was unwilling to remove the illegal debt, I approached the court. To my greatest surprise, the court began to manipulate the case against me,” Oyelade stated.
He claimed that despite submitting critical evidence—including bank statements and official correspondence—the High Court disregarded all documentation in its judgment, favoring the bank. Dissatisfied with the outcome, Oyelade escalated the case to the Court of Appeal, where he alleges a similar pattern of injustice.
“All the facts and evidence I presented were ignored. The judges twisted the case in the bank’s favor and based their judgment on issues not part of the original case or dispute,” he said.
The High Court case, filed under suit number AK/140/2016, delivered its judgment on May 20, 2018. The appeal, registered as CA/AK/2076/2018, was presided over by Justices Ama Akawo Baka, James Gambo Abundaga, and Yusuf Alhaji Bashir, with judgment delivered on December 2, 2021.
Oyelade insists he possesses irrefutable evidence and is willing to present it before any investigative panel. “I am ready to prove my case anytime, anywhere. I have all the facts and documentation at my disposal,” he said.
He is now calling on human rights organizations, judicial oversight bodies, and senior legal figures—particularly Chief Femi Falana and TAP Initiative—for support.
“I am appealing to Nigerians, human rights organizations, and legal authorities to come to my rescue. I don’t understand why I should pay for what I did not purchase or be held liable for the bank’s negligence.”
According to Oyelade, the debt the bank claims he owes now stands at approximately ₦18.7 million. He has expressed concern about potential threats to his safety, suspecting foul play in how the case has been handled.
“I fear for my safety. This is Nigeria, and I hope I won’t be silenced or hidden away. I want the public to know what is happening, and I plead for urgent action and support,” he said.
