Kunle Adelabu
There is no doubt that customers no longer trust their banks anymore in the country due to how their hard earned money is being managed, especially as it regards the incessant unauthorized withdrawals from their accounts. These feelings could be seen in the reactions of Ikorodu residents to the alarm raised by one Adebola Azeez Abiodun over an alleged N240, 000 allegedly withdrew from his account in Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Ikorodu branch, on Monday, July 19, 2021.
The victim, who is using Prince Hardebada Harzeez Harbiodun as his Facebook name, has called on the entire Ikorodu residents to assist him in his plight.
Speaking with THE IMPACT in a phone chat, Prince Abiodun said that he had to take the matter to the public forum because he is afraid that he might not be able to retrieve the money withdrawn from his account without his authorization if he keeps quiet.
Narrating his ordeal, the victim said:
“It was on Monday that I noticed that N240, 000 was withdrawn from my account with the GT Bank in Ikorodu.
“When l went to the bank to complain, l was asked to write my complaints at the customer’s service of the bank in Ikorodu, which I did and signed same as directed. Thereafter, I was told to come back in two weeks time, but I don’t trust them because of the experiences of the past which are not palatable.
“That was why I had to take the matter to social media and also contact you (THE IMPACT).
“Please, I need your help and that of the every other person's in getting back my hard – earned money.
“It is always a big problem for some of us that do not have connections or know big people in Nigeria to get redress and that is why I am calling on the entire Ikorodu people to help me so that l can retrieve my money from GT Bank”, he pleaded.
“Ikorodu indigenes should help me”, he pleaded once again.
Meanwhile, many residents have been reacting to the plight of Prince Abiodun on The Ikorodu Ambassadors’ Facebook platform, with virtually all of them condemning the incident and described it as fraud against customers by Nigerian banks.
The residents also encouraged the victims to storm the bank and disturb its operations in order to force the management to act quickly on his case.
One of the residents, Abisoye Ibrahim Egunjobi, reacting, said:
“Do not act like a gentleman, storm the bank and scatter the banking hall, scream and bang the table of the Manager, you will get your money that day. I’m talking from experience”, he said.
Another resident, Abosede Enitan, in her own reaction, said:
“Bros, that very branch, go there on Monday morning and shut it down with madness, They'll refund you immediately. Trust me, try that method or else your money will become history”, he said.
Tayo Balogun-Bello, while stating that he was speaking from experience, also charged the victim to storm the bank and create a scene.
“From experience, go there and demonstrate madness inside the banking hall. Insist that you need to see the branch manager, your money will be out immediately. Sometimes, the staff there might be the perpetrators of the fraud”.
Evangelist Jesugbemi, who claimed that he works at the GT Bank Head Office, directed the victim to go to the bank and request to see his account officer and lodge his complaint with him.
While adding that Prince Abiodun should also chat him up after contacting his account officer, Jesugbemi also assured him that his money will be refunded.
“My brother, this is the only help that I can do for you on this issue, go to the same GTB branch where the incident occurred and ask for your account officer's number and contact him or chat me up. I work in the GTB Head Office as an elevator maintenance officer. I believe that you don’t have any problem. You can also message me”, he assured him.
Adebisi Omotanwa Oluwatosin, who accused Nigerian banks of perpetrating fraud against there customers, also stated that his husband had also experienced similar situation.
“I think that’s how banks are doing now. Even my husband too was debited 128,000. We are still on it till now. May God help us”, she alleged.
Another resident, Emmanuel Ewumi, also shared his experience about a week ago when he used his bank ATM card to withdraw money from the GT Bank ATM machine and his account was instantly debited while cash was not dispense to him.
“I used my Ecobank ATM to withdraw 10k at GTB bank at Agric in Ikorodu, several weeks ago. While my account was debited, the ATM machine did not dispense money for me. Up till now, they have not reversed it”, he alleged.
Nimota Adeola also joined other residents in charging Abiodun to go back to the bank and create a scene to draw the attention of the manager to his plight.
“Go and create a scene for them. They hate noise, especially if the MD is around. They will refund you asap after 7 working days”, she said.
Prince Ayobami Oyebo, in his own reaction, enjoined the victim to wait for two weeks and also engage them (bank) on the social media.
“Wait for the two weeks first, if nothing happens, start chatting with them on social media. Nigerian banks are another set of SARS. They are always worried when their names are mentioned on social media”.
As at the time of filing this report, the Headquarters of the bank was yet to respond to the mail sent to [email protected] on the allegation.
