News
EXCLUSIVE: Fidelity Bank MD Onyeali-Ikpe Tells Police N5Billion ‘Settlement’ Narration In Statement Was Misrepresented As Bribe To AIG Abdul Yari
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the Nigerian government recently withdrew Onyeali-Ikpe’s name from an ongoing criminal case involving an alleged multi-billion-naira fraud.
SaharaReporters has exclusively obtained the second statement submitted by the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, to the Nigeria Police Force.
Her first statement to the police was written on April 16, 2024.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the Nigerian government recently withdrew Onyeali-Ikpe’s name from an ongoing criminal case involving an alleged multi-billion-naira fraud.
The case, initiated by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), targets lawyer Victor Ukutt; Whoba Ugwunna Ogo (who is reportedly at large); Fidelity Bank Plc; and previously, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe, over the alleged unlawful conversion of funds belonging to Woobs Resources Limited.
Woobs Resources Limited is a real estate development and facility management company.
Petition And Charges
Specifically, it alleged that the sum of N692,122,000 was stolen from the account of Woobs Resources Limited by AIG Lafia and one James Uchechukwu Onyemenam.
One of the charges alleges that Victor Ukutt, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, and Whoba Ugwunna Ogo (now at large) conspired between 2011 and 2023 in Lagos to fraudulently convert about ₦19 billion belonging to Woobs Resources Limited, knowing the funds were proceeds of theft or fraud, from the company’s account at Fidelity Bank.
The petition, dated April 30, 2024, was sent by General Counsel Victor Ukutt, Esq., of Victor Ukutt & Co. Legal Practitioners, and received by the Inspector General of Police on May 2, 2024.
The petition also accused the suspects and officers of the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) of abuse of office and police power.
Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe was initially listed as the third defendant in Charge No: FHC/L/138C/2025. Filed in February 2025, the case names the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant, with Victor Ukutt, Fidelity Bank Plc, and Whoba Ugwunna Ogo as the first, second, and fourth defendants, respectively.
However, in an amended 10-count charge filed on May 5, 2025, the Federal Government dropped Onyeali-Ikpe’s name from the list of defendants and replaced her with Safiya Whoba.
The AGF Office has denied the allegation, saying the justice minister exercised his constitutional powers to enter a nolle prosequi—formally withdrawing the prosecution—after a comprehensive review of the case found no direct link between Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe and the alleged fraudulent account.
SaharaReporters also recently reported that Onyeali-Ikpe had confessed to paying N5 billion to secure her release from police custody amid an ongoing multi-billion naira fraud case.
In a conversation exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe told a long-standing bank customer, identified only as Uba, that she paid N5 billion to bail herself after being arrested by the Nigerian Police in connection with the case.
However, in a recent statement, she denied that the N5 billion was a bribe, saying it was a bail bond paid to the police.

Statement On Alleged N5 Billion Bribe
In her second statement to the police obtained by SaharaReporters, Onyeali-Ikpe addressed allegations that she paid ₦5 billion as a bribe to AIG Yari to secure her release from police custody.
She addressed concerns about the use of the term “settlement” in the narration of the ₦5 billion bail bond transaction. She explained that referencing the payment as a settlement was not intended to imply that it was a bribe or payoff, but rather arose due to limitations in the narration space available in the bank’s system.
Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe described the interpretation of the term as a bribe or improper payment as a misrepresentation, clarifying that the ₦5 billion referenced was a bail bond on personal recognition to the Nigeria Police, and not a payment to any individual, including AIG Abdul Yari.
She described the claim as a misrepresentation, stating that the ₦5 billion was a bail bond on personal recognition and not a bribe.
“On the payment of the N5 billion to AIG (Abdul) Yari as bail is a misrepresentation. The N5 billion being mentioned is a bail bond on personal recognition to the Nigerian Police,” she wrote.
“With regards to the narration of settlement in the statement, reference was to be narrated as ‘pending settlement’ but for limited narration space on the system.”
She further explained that the controversial transfer of ₦692 million from Woobs Resources Limited’s account to a suspense account was a management decision aimed at safeguarding the funds pending a determination of the company’s true ownership.
She insisted that no part of the money was diverted to AIG Yari or any individual, as alleged in the petition against her and the bank.
Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe assured that Fidelity Bank would comply with court orders and return the funds to Woobs Resources Limited’s account, with proof of compliance to be provided to the police.
She wrote, “In addition to my statement of 16th April 2024, I wish to respond to the petition by Victor Ukutt Esq on behalf of Mr Whoba Ogo of Woobs Resources Limited on allegation of (1) Deactivation of telephone numbers and email address of Woobs Resources Limited (2) Transfer of the sum of N692,122,000 out of the company’s account number, 40100201772 (3) Allegation of payment of five billion Naira for bail.
“In response to No. 1, this was done to secure and restrict information about activities in the account because of the information available.
“Transfer of N692,122,000 out of the account, this was also done to secure the fund while the real ownership of the (account) company was determined. The fund was moved into a suspense account sundry for safe custody account No. 0162361000 on 24th April 2024.
“It was a decision taken by the management due to the antecedent of the accounts for safe keeping pending determination of real ownership of the company. The decision to move the money to suspense account was a management decision without a court order to that effect.
“However, the said fund will be moved immediately back to Woobs Resources Ltd account No 4010020172 in compliance with the court order. Evidence of the compliance will be forwarded to the police. It is important to state that no monies was (sic) moved from Woobs Resources accounts to Mr James Onyemenam or AIG Abdul Yari as alleged by the petitioner.”
“On the issue of the sundry suspense account being opened specifically for this transaction, this is in line with banking,” she added.
-Sahara
Entertainment
Davido breaks silence after Grammy Award loss
Five-time Grammy nominee, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reacted after losing the Best African Music Performance category at the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, United States.
The Afrobeats star shared a message of faith and resilience following the outcome of the ceremony, which took place on Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena in California.
In a post on his Instagram page, Davido shared photos with his wife, Chioma, from the event and wrote, “Oluwa Dey my side,” alongside prayer and music emojis.
Hours later, he posted another set of pictures of himself and Chioma at the Grammys, reflecting on the loss in a longer caption.
“I said baby listen we lost again let’s not go ! she said ‘Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat’ we outside,” he wrote.
Chioma also reacted via her Instagram page, praising the singer, “You already know that you’re the perfect one, @davido,” she wrote, while sharing photos from the awards night.
Davido was nominated in the Best African Music Performance category at the 2026 Grammy Awards but lost to South African singer Tyla, who won with her song Push 2 Start.
Other nominees in the category included Burna Boy (Love), Ayra Starr and Wizkid (Gimme Dat), Davido (With You featuring Omah Lay), and Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin (Hope & Love).
The win marked Tyla’s second Grammy Award, following her first victory in 2024 for her hit single Water.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, the singer revealed that With You, featuring Omah Lay, almost did not make the final tracklist of his album 5IVE.
“Man, it’s so crazy because that song almost didn’t make the album. With You was not in anybody’s top five.
“And now look at it go. Every time I was performing it, my heart would just start beating like, what if I didn’t put this song?” he told OkayAfrica.
Davido also recounted how he learned about the Grammy nomination, saying the news came unexpectedly while he was in Dubai, days before his birthday.
“I was in the car, actually, checking a car, and then my phone rang. They were like, ‘Oh yeah, another nomination.’ I was like, wow. Thank God,” he said.
“With You” was released in April 2025 as the 17th track on Davido’s fifth studio album, 5IVE, and has since become one of his most successful recent records, surpassing 100 million streams on Spotify.
Despite the song’s success, Nigeria did not record a win at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Davido said he is now focused on touring and releasing new music.
He is also billed to perform at Coachella 2026, where he will be the only Nigerian artiste on the festival lineup, performing on April 11 and April 18, 2026, in Indio, California.
-Guardian
Entertainment
Kunle Afolayan gives reasons to marry many women
Nollywood filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, has stirred reactions after advising men to “marry many women” while reflecting on his upbringing in a polygamous home.
The actor and producer made the remarks at the watch party of Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens, with a clip from the event going viral on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Afolayan linked his existence and achievements to his late father’s decision to marry several wives.
“Without my father, there wouldn’t have been a KAP Village or even Kunle Afolayan. I am the seventh born of my father because my father had ten wives. For the men, marry many women, or rather be involved with many women. You know why? If my father didn’t, he would not have born me, and that is the honest truth. But today, a few of us are lifting his legacy. Life is short, death is constant. Nobody has life forever. Everybody has a period. Use your period,” he said.
While his daughter, Eyiyemi Afolayan, joined him on stage, the filmmaker compared his childhood experience with his relationship with his children.
“They are lucky. For her, staying by my side is luck. Do you know why? I couldn’t stand it with my father. My father didn’t know my school. My father didn’t know my date of birth. He did not know anything about me other than, ‘He is the son of that person.’ But today, I’m so proud of my father,” he added.
Afolayan also spoke about fatherhood.
“Sometimes when people say ‘Happy Father’s Day,’ I’m always saying whether he pays child support or not, he’s still a father. I have been going to court because I want to get a divorce. I don’t mind being in the witness box, and I experienced the shit, so that I can marry many wives,” he said.
He thereafter prayed for his daughter, praising her role in the series.
“Hephzibah, her mother is the one who gave her the name. I don’t care, but I am proud of you. You started with the film, you did the first season, and now with the second season, you did amazingly well. My good Lord will continue to increase you in wisdom, in knowledge, and in understanding. If this is your path, the good Lord will see you through.”
However, this is not the first time the filmmaker has spoken about his late father’s polygamous lifestyle.
In March 2021, Afolayan told BBC Pidgin that his father, Adeyemi Afolayan, who died in 1996, married 10 wives and had 25 children, a decision he said took a toll on the family.
“I would not want to marry many wives because my father had 10 wives and I knew what happened throughout that period. I knew that really distracted my father. In this age, nobody needs to tell you before you know what’s right,” he said at the time.
He also disclosed that growing up in a polygamous home affected bonding among the children due to language and other barriers.
Afolayan further narrated how he battled poverty in his early years, revealing that he once lived in a one-room apartment in Ebute-Metta and sometimes had to deal with flooding.
“I was born in Ebute-Metta and have lived in one-room apartment before that we even have to grapple with flood sometimes. It’s not shame to say have been poor before. But if you see how l made it, it’s a matter of consistency. My father was a very popular filmmaker and ordinarily, people would expect me to life the kind of live akin to Hollywood stars,” he said.
“But that wasn’t the case. How would one live such life when you’re living in a room with ten women. That doesn’t mean there was no love among us.”
He had advised young filmmakers to start with the little resources available to them while working towards their dreams.
-Guardian
Article
Court adjourns Ganduje’s corruption trial to April 15
A Kano State High Court has adjourned until April 15 the trial of former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar, and son, Abdullahi Umar, alongside five other defendants, over alleged misappropriation of public funds amounting to billions of naira.
The defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds. The remaining accused persons are Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lasage General Enterprises Ltd.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution told the court it was ready to proceed and drew attention to a motion dated November 24, 2025, seeking leave to file additional proof of evidence.
However, defence lawyers raised objections, informing the court that multiple applications were pending and must be resolved before the trial could continue.
Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, counsel to some of the defendants, said the defence had filed a motion dated July 17, 2025, seeking a stay of proceedings.
Adekunle Taiye-Falola, representing the third and seventh defendants, also referred to a separate motion dated May 23, 2025.
In addition, Muhammad Shehu, counsel to the fifth defendant, told the court that an affidavit had been filed notifying it of a pending application for stay of proceedings before the Court of Appeal.
Abubakar Ahmad, counsel to the sixth defendant, informed the court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection and an application for extension of time to respond on points of law dated February 2, urging the court to fix a date for hearing.
Only Faruk Asekome, counsel to the eighth defendant, indicated readiness to proceed with the trial.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the presiding judge, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, adjourned the matter to April 15 for the hearing of all pending applications and preliminary objections.
The trial has suffered repeated delays due to legal challenges. The high court had earlier dismissed preliminary objections raised by the defence as “incompetent” and affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the case.
That ruling was appealed by the defendants, who argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction. However, in October 2025, the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal struck out the appeal, citing failure to properly transmit the record of appeal.
-Guardian
-
Article10 months ago5 Life Lessons from Manchester City EPL Current woes
-
Sports10 months agoLiverpool Announce Jürgen Klopp Return To The Club
-
Business10 months agoMTN Teams Up With Meta To Boost WhatsApp Call Quality
-
News10 months agoCommonwealth Observers Prepare For Gabon Presidential Election
-
Article10 months agoPonzi Scheme CEO Francis Uju Udoms of Addfx Case still Unresolved Despite SEC certification
-
News10 months agoChibok Girls: 11 Years Of Anguish, Broken Promises
-
News8 months agoNASRE Promises Support To Daily Times Group Business Editor, Oseni, Over Serious Road Accident
-
News10 months agoWike’s Enviable Road Construction Method along Nyanya- Maraba Highway
