THIS MONEY IS NOT MINE: Nigerian Man call out Zenith Bank for mistakenly crediting him N4.3 million

A Nigerian man identified as Joseph Ikechukwu Echendu has taken to social media to report an erroneous fund transfer he received from Afrinvest West Africa, emphasizing that the money does not belong to him and calling for its immediate reversal.

In a detailed Facebook post that has since garnered attention online, Echendu explained the incident, stating: “Afrinvest West Africa I received this erroneous overflow from you on the 16th of this month around 4.pm. I waited for 24.hrs for a reversal and nothing happened. THIS MONEY IS NOT MINE.“

Echendu, who trades stocks with Afrinvest but clarified that his personal funds do not match the amount received, expressed empathy for the rightful owner. “My thoughts are with your client who is the original owner of this money and I sincerely hope that he’s strong and hopeful that he would receive his money,” he wrote.

He further noted that he has escalated the matter to his bank, Zenith Bank Plc’s branch in Oyigbo, for a swift resolution. “You’ve maintained a high level of integrity over the years and this mistake rarely occurs. I WANT IT TO BE ON RECORD FOR FUTURE REFERENCES, THAT IS WHY I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW,” Echendu added, tagging several media outlets and influencers including Igbere TV, Oriental Times, Sahara Reporters, Verydarkblackman, and the Center for Social Integrity to amplify the issue.

NaijaChoice News reached out for more details on similar incidents, revealing that erroneous transfers are not uncommon in Nigeria’s banking sector, often sparking debates on integrity and accountability. For instance, recent social media discussions highlight cases where individuals received unexpected large sums and chose to return them, such as a business owner who refunded over N4.5 million mistakenly sent to his account, earning widespread praise. In contrast, stories of those who kept such funds have led to arrests, like a POS operator who allegedly spent N280 million in erroneous credits before being reported.

Another viral account involved a man who received N24 million in an unused Fidelity Bank account and publicly expressed shock, questioning if it was a “Valentine’s gift from EFCC.” These narratives underscore the challenges in Nigeria’s financial system, including network glitches and the need for faster reversal mechanisms.

Echendu’s post, affiliated with Serene Diction Academy, ends on a hopeful note: “I believe my bank will do the needful so that the owner of the money will be happy again.” He urged escalation “to save a life,” highlighting the potential distress caused by such errors.

As of now, neither Afrinvest West Africa nor Zenith Bank has publicly responded to the incident. NaijaChoice News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on this story of honesty amid economic pressures.