ILLEGAL DEDUCTION: Ughelli-Based Journalist Urges CBN, NDIC, FCCPC, CPC, Others To Investigate Zenith Bank
*Petitions Regulators, Threatens Court Action
By Matthias Ogbagah
UGHELLI – IRKED by unauthorized deductions from his Zenith Bank account, an Ughelli-based journalist and a customer of Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Oghenekaro Gabriel Awodeha, has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Consumer Protection Council, and other relevant agencies to investigate Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc.
Awodeha, accused the bank of making unauthorised deductions from his account, mishandling his complaint, and allegedly deactivating his ATM card without notice, actions he said have compelled him to call on regulators and consider legal action.
According to him, the controversy started on 27 December 2025, when he received multiple debit alerts from his bank account on the same day.
His words, “On that day, I received two separate alerts of ₦53.70 each with the narration 4th quarter MasterCard maintenance,” he said.
“I wasn’t pleased with the double deduction, but I initially assumed it might be a system error and decided to let it go.”
“I wasn’t pleased with the double deduction, but I initially assumed it might be a system error and decided to let it go.”
His concern, however, intensified later in the day after he reviewed his account activity on the Zenith Bank Mobile App.
“When I checked my transaction history, I saw another ₦53.75 had been deducted,” Awodeha explained. “This time, the narration read Visa card maintenance. I was shocked because I have never owned or used a Visa card. Even if I did, it is not possible to have two active ATM cards linked to the same account.”
Describing the deductions as suspicious, Awodeha said he decided to formally report the matter after the festive break. On 5 January 2026, he visited the Ughelli branch of Zenith Bank, where his account was opened.
“I explained to the customer care representative that I was debited twice for MasterCard maintenance in the same quarter, and then debited again for Visa card maintenance, which I have never had,” he said.
According to him, the bank official appeared to acknowledge the issue.
“She asked me directly if I had a Visa card, and I said no,” Awodeha recounted. “She then told me not to worry, that the deduction would be reversed and that it was likely a mistake.”
Awodeha said he made it clear that he was dissatisfied with that response.
“I told her I didn’t just want a reversal; I wanted an apology,” he said. “To me, it was not a minor issue.”
“I explained to the customer care representative that I was debited twice for MasterCard maintenance in the same quarter, and then debited again for Visa card maintenance, which I have never had,” he said.
According to him, the bank official appeared to acknowledge the issue.
“She asked me directly if I had a Visa card, and I said no,” Awodeha recounted. “She then told me not to worry, that the deduction would be reversed and that it was likely a mistake.”
Awodeha said he made it clear that he was dissatisfied with that response.
“I told her I didn’t just want a reversal; I wanted an apology,” he said. “To me, it was not a minor issue.”
He added that the official then gave him a telephone number to call if he insisted on receiving an apology from the bank.
After waiting seven days without any reversal, apology, or official feedback, Awodeha said he followed up by calling the number on 13 January 2026.
“I waited on the line for about seven minutes before someone answered,” he said. “I explained everything again and warned that I would take further steps if the issue were not resolved, because I considered it a clear case of fraud.”
He said the customer care agent told him that the Ughelli branch had closed and that the necessary information could only be obtained from the branch.
He said the customer care agent told him that the Ughelli branch had closed and that the necessary information could only be obtained from the branch.
“He said the deductions were processed by the branch,” Awodeha stated. “I told him I expected a response the next day, and he promised to get back to me.”
According to Awodeha, no such response came. Instead, he later discovered that his ATM card, which he said was valid until 2029, had been deactivated.
“I tried to use the same ATM card I have always used, and it kept telling me ‘invalid’,” he said. “That was when I realised the card had been deactivated without any explanation.”
Awodeha, who identified himself as a journalist, said the matter has become a test of accountability in the banking sector.
“As a journalist and a watchdog of society, I cannot allow this kind of action to go unchecked,” he said. “At first, all I wanted was an apology. But when the bank chose what I see as intimidation, I decided I would not back down.”
He accused the bank of hiding behind its financial strength.
He accused the bank of hiding behind its financial strength.
“They have the trillions, if they truly do,” he said. “I have nothing but my pen, and I am prepared to use it.”
The customer said he has now called on regulatory and consumer protection bodies to investigate the bank’s actions.
The customer said he has now called on regulatory and consumer protection bodies to investigate the bank’s actions.
“I am calling on the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Consumer Protection Council, and other relevant agencies to investigate Zenith Bank, especially these deductions,” Awodeha said.
“This is not just about ₦53.70; it is about transparency and customer rights.”
He also disclosed that he is considering legal action.
“This is not just about ₦53.70; it is about transparency and customer rights.”
He also disclosed that he is considering legal action.
“If this issue is not addressed openly and satisfactorily, I will seek legal redress against the bank,” he said. “I am prepared to take this matter to court.”
Awodeha added that he believes his experience may reflect a wider problem affecting other bank customers.
“I know I am not the only one,” he said. “But I am ready to take this step so that it can stop.”
He identified himself as Oghenekaro Gabriel Awodeha, noting that Zenith Bank has his account details should it wish to respond to the allegations.
As of the time of filing this report, Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc had not responded to requests for comment on the allegations.
