Fidelity Bank Plc has refuted allegations that one of its employees demanded a bribe to release funds from an international money transfer, stating that the transaction was flagged for compliance review.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Meksley Nwagboh, Divisional Head of Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank, described the claims as “false,” “malicious,” and “grossly unprofessional.”
The allegations stem from a report by an online news platform, which claimed that a staff member at the bank’s University of Benin (UNIBEN) branch requested a bribe before releasing the full amount of a Remitly transfer to a customer.
Bank Explains Compliance Delay
According to Fidelity Bank, the customer initially visited the UNIBEN branch on March 14 to claim the funds. However, discrepancies in the recipient’s name caused delays. After partial payment was made, the bank explained that the transaction—split into seven separate transfers—required additional due diligence.
The bank noted that such structuring of funds is often flagged under anti-money laundering regulations, necessitating further scrutiny. Despite informing the customer that a compliance review was in progress, the individual returned on March 17, demanding full payment.
Fidelity Bank revealed that its internal investigation identified several concerns, including:
The volume and structure of the transactions.
The involvement of a third party claiming to be the recipient’s husband.
The beneficiary’s inability to explain the purpose of the funds.
The bank also contacted Remitly, which was unable to reach the sender for verification. Due to these concerns, Remitly directed Fidelity Bank to reject the transaction.
On March 24, the customer reportedly returned to the branch to stage a protest and allegedly threatened to damage the bank’s reputation in the media.
“At no point did our staff request a bribe, explicitly or implicitly, to facilitate the transaction,” the bank stated, adding that legal action is being considered against those spreading false allegations.
Fidelity Bank reaffirmed its commitment to ethical banking practices, corporate governance, and strict compliance with financial regulations.
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