Dr Agbai Eke Agbai
By Caroline Ekpe
Renowned businessman Dr Agbai Eke Agbai has revealed that the sum of N550 million which he paid into his account as a fixed deposit at First Bank’s Abiriba branch in response to an appeal by the bank’s former Group Managing Director later disappeared from the account.
“I deposited N550 million at First Bank Abiriba branch to keep it in my community” he said.
He explained that his intention was to ensure that the branch remained operational in his community.
“I deposited that money into a fixed deposit account, with a certificate issued to me by First Bank, based on an appeal from the former Group Managing Director.
“This was done to prevent the bank from being removed from Abiriba,” he stated.
However, upon his return to Nigeria, Agbai said that he was met with an alarming discovery.
“I went to First Bank in Abuja to make a withdrawal, only to find out that N55 million had been withdrawn from my account by bank officials.
“They claimed that I personally made the withdrawals at their Uzuakoli Road branch in Umuahia, but at that time, I was not even in the country,” he explained.
Following an internal review, bank officials admitted to the unauthorized withdrawal and refunded the money.
However, this incident raised serious concerns for Agbai, prompting him to take action.
“That was when I started sensing trouble.
“When I officially requested to close my fixed deposit account, I was shocked to be informed that my N550 million was nowhere to be found,” he revealed.
