Fidelity MD Signed Bail Bond, Not Bribe — Bank Clarifies

Fidelity Bank has denied reports claiming its Managing Director, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, paid N5 billion in bribes to avoid police detention, stating that the referenced amount was a bail bond signed as part of a routine investigative process.

In a statement released on Monday, the bank said Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe was invited by the police during an investigation into the management of an account belonging to a customer, Woobs Resources Limited. After providing her statement, she was asked to sign a N5 billion bail bond on her own recognizance — a standard legal procedure, not a financial settlement.

The bank described the reports — particularly one published by Sahara Reporters — as false and deliberately misleading. It noted that the claim misrepresents a lawful process to suggest wrongdoing.

“The police invited the MD during their investigation into a complaint made by James Onyemenam against Mr. Ogo Whoba over the management of Woobs Resources’ account. After taking her statement, the police asked the MD to sign a N5 billion bail bond on her own recognizance,” the statement said.

“It is this bond — not a bribe — that was referenced in a phone conversation with Mr. Ogo Whoba, which was secretly and unlawfully recorded. At no time did Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe pay N5 billion to the police to avoid detention; signing the bond was simply a standard part of her release conditions.”

Fidelity Bank also revealed that a similar claim had earlier been made in a petition to the Inspector General of Police by Victor Ukutt, acting on behalf of Mr. Whoba. The petition was investigated and dismissed as baseless.

The bank urged the public to disregard the misleading reports and reaffirmed its commitment to integrity, due process, and transparency in all its operations.