Man Jailed After Spending ₦1.5 Billion Sent to His Account by Mistake

What started as a banking mistake ended in a courtroom sentence for a Nigerian man in Edo State.

Ojo Eghosa Kingsley found more than ₦1.5 billion sitting in his FirstBank account after an error.

Instead of reporting it, he began withdrawing and spending the money, according to anti-corruption investigators.

Authorities later tracked the movement of the funds through several accounts and recovered ₦802 million.

Officials said the money had gone into personal spending before the issue was discovered.

The court sentenced him to one year in prison, with the option of a ₦5 million fine.

He must also repay ₦272.2 million that remains outstanding.

The case has triggered strong reactions online, as many people debate whether bank errors excuse spending and what responsibility account holders carry when money appears unexpectedly.