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Fidelity Bank Plc has strongly denied recent media claims alleging that its Managing Director, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, paid ₦5 billion to avoid police detention in connection with an ongoing fraud investigation.
In a statement issued on Monday, the bank described the publication by Sahara Reporters—titled “Fidelity Bank MD Onyeali-Ikpe Confesses to Paying ₦5 Billion To Avoid Police Detention Amid Over ₦19 Billion Fraud Probe”—as “patently false and malicious,” asserting that it was designed to mislead the public.
According to the bank, the Managing Director was invited by the Nigeria Police in relation to a case involving the management of accounts belonging to Woobs Resources Limited, which was reported by Mr. James Onyemenam against Mr. Ogo Whoba.
After providing her statement, Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe was granted bail and asked to sign a ₦5 billion bail bond on self-recognizance—a standard legal requirement. Fidelity Bank clarified that no money was paid to the Police, and the bail bond was not a financial transaction but a legal formality.
“The ₦5 billion figure referenced in the article stems from a bail bond signed by the MD and not from any form of payment to law enforcement authorities,” the statement read. “This bail condition was later misrepresented in a secretly recorded conversation with Mr. Ogo Whoba, which was made without the MD’s consent.”
The bank further disclosed that a petition containing the allegation was submitted to the Inspector General of Police by Victor Ukutt, acting on behalf of Mr. Whoba. Following a thorough investigation, the police concluded that the claims were unfounded.
Reaffirming its stance, Fidelity Bank emphasized its unwavering commitment to corporate governance, legal compliance, and ethical conduct.
“As a leading financial institution, we remain committed to transparency, due process, and the highest standards of integrity in all our operations,” the bank stated.
