…claims bank imposed overdraft, damaged reputation
The Bugwam Kurmi and paramount ruler of Kurama, His Royal Highness Yakubu Iliya Sauri, has sued Keystone Bank Limited over an alleged unauthorised loan and overdraft of N11,030,341.49 credited to his account without his application, consent or directive.
In a writ filed at the High Court of Kaduna State sitting in Saminaka, the claimant is seeking multiple declarations and orders against the bank over what he described as ‘fraudulent, unlawful and oppressive banking practices’.
According to the court papers, the bank officials had persistently approached him with loan offers which he turned down.
He then received a negative alert of over eleven million and when he wrote to the Headquarters of Keystone Bank in Lagos, the Bank responded with claims that a system glitch occurred over several weeks which caused the unauthorised loan that did not impact in the Monarch’s account as credit but was debited by the Monarch.The disputed account, No. 60293….3 with Keystone Bank has continued to accrue.
Sauri is asking the Court to declare that the crediting of the loan/overdraft without his mandate, consent or instruction is wrongful and constitutes a breach of the banker-customer contract.
He also contends that the bank had no right in law to create a loan or negative balance against his account when he did not apply for, accept or authorise any such facility moreso as the Bank statements do not reflect the credits by the system glitch except debits of the contested amount.
Sauri, who described himself as a monarch, multi-businessman, further alleged that the bank concealed the transaction, issued conflicting account balances, showed no system credit in their statements and later attempted to blame a “system-related glitch” which he said projected him as an internet fraudster who tampered with the bank’s ICT system.
“The Defendant’s claim… projects the Claimant as an internet fraudster who tampered with Keystone ICT Bank system; for which he is entitled to huge reputational damage compensation,” the writ stated.
The Claimant told the court that he was never invited to discuss the debit transactions, never received notice of any system glitch and only discovered the negative balance when he visited the bank himself.
Sauri is also seeking a declaration that the bank’s cancellation of debit interest of N1,721,674.62 covering January to May 2026 after he complained about the unauthorized loan, amounts to an admission of liability.
Among other reliefs, Sauri is asking the court to Order the bank to reverse and write off the disputed N11,030,341.49 and any other sums thereafter accruing.
He is seeking the court to exonerate him from liability for the imposed transaction which showed no credits into his account except debits and to award N50,000,000 in general damages for breach of contract, psychological distress and reputational harm, award N30,000,000 in special damages for missed business opportunities and award N20,000,000 in punitive damages for alleged reckless conduct.
“Order the bank to tender a public apology in 5 TV stations, 5 radio stations and 5 newspapers, direct the temporary closure of Keystone Bank, 77 Ahmadu Bello Way, Saminaka GRA, pending a forensic investigation, and Order the bank to reimburse N20,000,000 litigation fees and pay 40% interest on the judgment sum until payment”, he respectively stated.
The monarch, who said he leads over 84,000 Kurama people, told the Court that the development has exposed him to reputational risk and caused him to lose business opportunities because customers could no longer transact with his account.
He also seeks to join the Central Bank of Nigeria in the suit, seeking declarations that the apex bank has a statutory duty to supervise banks and protect customers under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act.
The writ was issued by Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq. of MIVE Legals (Ballason Chambers) at the House of Justice.
The Defendant is yet to enter appearance as at the time of filing this report.
However, when contacted, for clarification, the Branch Manager of Keystone Bank, Saminaka, Kaduna State, Suleiman Dari, acknowledged receipt of the suit filed by the Claimant and customer of the Bank.
The manager however blamed Sauri for over withdrawal and over transfer of monies through his account with the bank to several creditors over a longer period amounting to over N11 million debt owed the bank.
The suit presents a nouvelle case that has the potential of defining financial transactions in a digital era.
