Stanbic says customer arrested in banking hall has pending case since 2019
Stanbic Bank has explained that the Ghanaian man who went to withdraw money from one of its branches in Ghana and was arrested by the police has a pending police case since 2019.
The customer had claimed on social media that he had gone to withdraw GH¢100 from his account at Stanbic and was arrested by the police.
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He had claimed on Tell it All on Facebook that when he was waiting in front of the teller, some security officials appeared with bank staff and arrested him.
He described the arrest as "wrong" and that he had been accused of taking GH¢4800 with his account details in the past, something he said was "not true".
He said he "wrongfully spent 24 hours behind bars" for the crime he never committed.
"When I got there, the teller told me that my account has been frozen so I should wait. About 5mins later, two staff of @stanbic Bank Ghana came with police officers to arrest me. At that time, I didn't know what was going on but I was taken to Police station. I wrote my statement as I have written above and was put in cell after," the customer wrote on social media.
His allegation has received varied response on social media.
Upon his narration, Stanbic Bank has reacted to the post on social media.
Hello member,
Sorry for this rather unfortunate and unacceptable situation you described. We would be grateful if you could assist us with details via inbox to enable us to investigate immediately. Thank you.
In a press statement dated February 9, 2022, issued by the Communications Manager of Stanbic, Kojo Akoi Larbi the bank explained the customer has a "pending case."
The bank is not ready to reveal full details as of now or even release the name of the said customer due to data protection reasons and since the case is still ongoing.
It however explained in the press statement: "A customer of the bank was identified in 2019 as a person of interest in a Police investigation. The Police engaged the customer as part of the investigations."
"Mindful of our country’s laws on Data Protection and the Banking Act, we have first and foremost protected our customer’s information, even in the face of material misstatements."
"We will provide a detailed narration of events with the express consent of our customer or if required by law.
Despite the active case, we have provided and continue to offer a full suite of banking services to our customer.
"Our obligation to customers and to providing a safe and secure banking environment shall always come first.
Below is a copy of Stanbic's statement
Pending Case Involving Customer
A customer of the bank was identified in 2019 as a person of interest in a Police investigation. The Police engaged the customer as part of the investigations.
Mindful of our country’s laws on Data Protection and the Banking Act, we have first and foremost protected our customer’s information, even in the face of material misstatements.
We will provide a detailed narration of events with the express consent of our customer or if required by law.
Despite the active case, we have provided and continue to offer a full suite of banking services to our customer.
Our obligation to customers and to providing a safe and secure banking environment shall always come first.
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Yours faithfully,
Kojo Akoi Larbi
Manager Communications
Below is what the customer posted on Tell it All on Facebook
Dear TIA, kindly assist me on what to do.
I went to ATM machine to withdraw my last ₵100 but could not so I decided to go to the Stanbic Bank Ghana (thats my bank) banking Hall to do the withdrawal.When I got there, the teller told me that my account has been frozen so I should wait.About 5mins later, two staff of @stanbic Bank Ghana came with police officers to arrest me.At that time, I didn't know what was going on but I was taken to Police station. I wrote my statement as I have written above and was put in cell after.I still didn't know what I had done but I stayed in cell for for more than 24hrs.Later I was permitted to call a friend and she came with a lawyer to bail me. As at that time, no @stanbic bank official had told me anything.I went to work and I was told by my boss that Stanbic Bank says I have used my account to withdraw ₵4,800 from their client which was never true.Later, my boss gave me a lawyer and we sent them a letter.That was when an employee of @stanbic bank told me they were sorry and it was a mistake.The guy offered to pay ₵1000 as the lawyer's fee and I said no.Unfortunately, the lawyer told me before we could pursue the case, I have to pay ₵3,000 and some court charges but I couldn't afford that.@stanbic bank has also decided not to mind me but I am left in a state of dilema.I want TIA members to help me take a decision. Personally I wish to sue the bank but the lawyers are expensive. Or I should forgive?
I will be reading comments