The Lagos State High Court has ordered Guaranty Trust Bank Plc to pay ₦5 million in damages to a customer, Ms. Rebecca Bonje, for issuing contradictory account statements and breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.
Justice O.A. Oresanya, in a judgment delivered on September 18, 2025, found the bank guilty of mishandling the customer’s financial data, failing to correct errors after multiple complaints, and removing transaction entries without explanation.
Bonje had dragged GTBank to court in suit number LD/18590MFHR/2024, filed through Olumide Babalola LP, accusing the bank of issuing two conflicting statements and refusing to rectify the discrepancies despite repeated requests.
The applicant argued that the bank’s actions violated her data protection rights, citing:
Section 24(1)(e) of the NDPA on transparent and fair processing of personal data
Section 34(1)(c) on the right to rectification of personal data
Section 65 on unlawful data alteration as a personal data breach
She sought declarations affirming the violation of her rights and demanded compensation for the damage suffered.
In upholding her claims, Justice Oresanya ruled that GTBank breached its statutory responsibilities and Bonje’s constitutional right to privacy. The court granted all four declaratory reliefs sought and awarded ₦5,000,000 in general damages.
“The issuance of conflicting statements and the refusal to correct the discrepancies constitute a violation of the applicant’s data protection rights,” the judge held.
The ruling strengthens the growing legal enforcement trend around the NDPA, compelling financial institutions to tighten compliance with customer data rights and transparency obligations.
GTBank is yet to issue an official comment on the judgment as of press time.
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