Nigerian footballer Tochukwu Christian has accused United Bank for Africa (UBA) of negligence after allegedly losing ₦12.3 million due to a security breach on his account. Frustrated by repeated failed attempts to recover his money, Christian shared his ordeal on the popular podcast Lucky Udu, publicly calling out the bank.
Christian claims that UBA has not provided a clear explanation regarding the disappearance of his funds. He specifically alleged that his account officer, Chinecheram Mercy, was involved in the breach and theft.
A Trusted Relationship Gone Wrong
As a professional footballer with a demanding travel schedule, Christian had entrusted Mercy with handling his banking affairs. He recounted meeting her in 2020 when she convinced him to open an account with UBA. Initially reluctant due to his frequent trips abroad, he eventually agreed.
“She kept persuading me to open a UBA account. When I finally did, I trusted her to assist me with my banking needs,” he stated.
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During one of his travels, Christian lost his SIM card, which was linked to his bank alerts. Seeking assistance, he contacted Mercy, who advised him to open a new account. When he questioned whether he could operate two UBA accounts simultaneously, she assured him it was possible.
“She asked for my details and even created a new email for the new account. She also obtained my BVN from my other bank, Access Bank,” he explained.
Christian grew suspicious when Mercy later reached out to ask if he was behind a series of withdrawals from his old account. Since he was abroad and no longer receiving alerts due to his lost SIM card, he was unaware of the transactions. However, he was still getting notifications from his new account.
Concerned, Christian immediately visited a UBA branch upon his return to Nigeria to report the unauthorized transactions. However, he claims the bank dismissed his concerns, directing him to speak with his account officer.
“I had Chinecheram Mercy arrested, but she was released without any resolution or refund of my money, despite the huge expenses I incurred to facilitate her arrest,” he lamented.
Adding to his doubts, Christian revealed that Mercy launched a successful business and got married the same year his funds went missing. In his quest for justice, he has engaged legal representatives to take action against both UBA and Mercy.
As the case unfolds, Christian’s accusations highlight concerns over banking security and the responsibilities of financial institutions in protecting customer funds. At the time of this report, neither UBA nor Mercy has publicly addressed the allegations.
