The Man Who Chose Prison Instead of Paying Back ₦272 Million.
The Man Who Chose Prison Instead of Paying Back ₦272 Million.
What would you do if your bank mistakenly credited your account with over ₦1.5 billion?
That was the reality for Ojo Eghosa Kingsley after First Bank reportedly credited his account with ₦1.507 billion in error between June and November 2025.
Rather than reporting the mistake, he allegedly began spending and transferring the money to family members, friends, and for personal use. By the time the bank discovered the error and the EFCC launched an investigation, a substantial amount had already been moved, although over ₦800 million was reportedly recovered through repayments and transaction reversals.
When the case got to the Edo State High Court in January 2026, Kingsley pleaded guilty.
The court gave him two options: spend one year in prison or pay a ₦5 million fine and refund the outstanding ₦272.25 million.
He chose prison.
His decision has since sparked heated debates across social media. Some believe he should have immediately returned the money the moment he realized it wasn’t his. Others admit that such an unexpected amount would test almost anyone’s self-control, especially in today’s harsh economic reality.
Beyond the headlines, the case raises difficult questions.
If money mistakenly enters your account and you knowingly spend it, at what point does it become a criminal offence instead of an innocent mistake? And if most of the funds have already been recovered, should imprisonment still be the outcome?
One mistake. One decision. One year behind bars.
What would you have done if you were in his position?
