A Nigerian court has convicted and sentenced a First Bank customer, Ojo Eghosa Kingsley, to one year in prison or the option of paying a ₦5 million fine after he refused to return ₦1.5 billion that was mistakenly credited to his bank account.
According to court proceedings, the funds were paid into Kingsley’s account in error by the bank. Despite being notified and asked to refund the money, he reportedly declined to do so, prompting legal action.
During the trial, Kingsley allegedly informed the court that he preferred serving a jail term rather than refunding the remaining balance of the mistakenly credited funds.
The case has sparked widespread public debate on social media, with many Nigerians weighing in on issues of banking errors, personal responsibility, and the legal consequences of retaining funds not lawfully earned.