A Nigerian tech entrepreneur identified as Jude Bela has come out on Twitter (now known as X) to accuse the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation and wrongful accusations that lasted over three years. The entrepreneur, who recently concluded a 41-month court case, is calling for greater oversight of the EFCC, alleging abuse of power and procedural misconduct.
The entrepreneur claims his ordeal began on March 8, 2019, when he received a call from his bank informing him that his accounts had been frozen at the EFCC’s directive. “I was shocked and confused,” he said. “I hadn’t committed any crime, yet I was treated like a criminal.”
According to him, the situation escalated when EFCC agents arrested him and conducted a search of his home. “They took my personal documents, my laptop, and even my YouTube account information without explanation,” he alleged. He was detained for four days under what he described as “horrific” conditions before being granted bail.
The entrepreneur’s troubles reportedly stemmed from his financial activities, which he insists were legitimate earnings from his YouTube channel and other ventures. Despite providing documentation, including Google AdSense payment slips, to prove the legitimacy of his income, the EFCC allegedly refused to release his assets or close the case.
“The EFCC claimed my account transactions were suspicious because of my age,” he explained. “They treated me as guilty without evidence, and the banks supported their claims instead of protecting their customers.”
The legal battle involved not only the EFCC but also three major Nigerian banks, including UBA Plc, which allegedly cooperated with the commission in freezing his accounts. In court, the EFCC argued that the entrepreneur could not justify his income, while one of the banks stated that the activities on his account warranted suspicion.
“This was a direct attack on my integrity and my business,” he said. “The process was draining—both financially and emotionally.”
He expressed frustration over repeated adjournments and alleged intimidation by EFCC agents during the legal proceedings. Despite these challenges, the entrepreneur vowed not to back down and pursued the matter in court to clear his name and recover his seized assets.
“This experience has opened my eyes to the urgent need for checks and balances in the EFCC’s operations,” he said, calling on the government to intervene to prevent similar occurrences.
At the time of reporting, neither the EFCC nor UBA Plc had issued an official response to the allegations.