Magu: A court awards N540.5 million against bank over false claim.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered a new generation bank to pay N540,500,000.00 in damages to a preacher, Emmanuel Omal of the Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry, and his wife, Deborah, for making a false claim that he laundered N573 million for former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

Justice Yusuf Halilu ruled yesterday that the bank breached its duty of care to the claimants – Omale, his wife, and their church – recklessly.

The decision was based on a lawsuit filed by Omale, his wife, and the church.

During Magu’s investigation by the Justice Isa Salami-led presidential investigation panel, it was claimed that an investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) revealed that the ex-EFCC chairman paid N573 million into Omale’s church’s account, with which a property in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was allegedly purchased (UAE).

According to Justice Halilu, the evidence presented in his court demonstrated that the bank admitted error in its report, to the NFIU, and in entries in Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry’s account.

The judge also ruled that the bank claimed that the alleged N573 million was incorrectly reflected as a credit entry in Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry’s account by its recently upgraded reporting system.

He went on to say that the bank admitted the error, which had caused “incalculable damage” to the claimants’ reputations both inside and outside the country.

According to him, the claimants provided enough evidence to establish a negligence case against the bank.

N200 million in aggravated damages, N140,500,000 in specific damages, and N200 million in general damages were awarded by Justice Halilu.