Businessman drags First Bank, Jaiz Bank to Court over late father’s savings

A businessman, Shamsuddeen Bello, has taken First Bank of Nigeria and Jaiz Bank before the Upper Shari’a Court, Daura Road, Kaduna, seeking the release of his late father’s savings to the family.

At Wednesday’s sitting, Bello, represented by his counsel Jamilu Sulaiman, told the court that although the deceased had a registered next of kin with the banks, that person could not be traced. As a result, the family appointed him as the available next of kin to manage the inheritance.

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Counsel to the complainant urged the court to compel the banks to release details of the funds to Bello, to allow the family to proceed with the distribution of the estate in line with Shari’a law.

The defendants—First Bank and Jaiz Bank—were absent in court and not represented by legal counsel during the hearing.

Delivering a ruling, Judge Malam Auwal Abdullahi granted the complainant’s application and directed both banks to prepare and present the account balances of the deceased.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to September 23 for a report on compliance.