In an extraordinary display of honesty, a Nigerian woman identified as Aisha Isah Yelwa has returned the sum of ₦330 million that was mistakenly credited to her bank account.
Mrs. Yelwa, a small-scale trader based in Lapai, Niger State, revealed that she discovered the unexpected funds in her First Bank account at about 3:49 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025.
According to her, the discovery came shortly after she had visited the bank to complain about multiple deductions linked to loans she previously took to support her business. While checking her account to confirm whether the issue had been resolved, she noticed a balance far beyond anything she had ever owned.
She explained that there was no credit alert, no transaction narration, and no indication of the source of the money, which immediately raised her concern.
“I was shocked and confused. There was no alert or explanation for such a huge amount,” she told Lapai TV.
To confirm whether it was a system error, Mrs. Yelwa said she transferred ₦1 million from the account, yet still received no alert—an action that further heightened her anxiety.
She stated that she officially reported the incident on Tuesday morning by visiting the Lapai branch of First Bank. Upon investigation, the branch manager confirmed that the credit resulted from a system malfunction and commended her for her integrity before initiating the reversal process.
Despite her decision, Mrs. Yelwa revealed that some people criticized her, questioning why she would return such a large sum instead of keeping it.
To protect herself legally, she said she went to the bank in the company of a lawyer, ensuring that the entire process was properly documented. The bank reportedly assured her that she would not be held responsible for the error and would only be contacted if further clarification was needed.
Speaking on her decision, Mrs. Yelwa said she felt fulfilled and at peace, describing her action as one guided by integrity and concern for her children’s future.
“I feel good returning the money. I am a mother, and my children’s future means more to me than anything,” she said.
“Even with all my financial challenges, I don’t want to eat what does not belong to me.”
Her rare act of honesty has since sparked conversations online, with many Nigerians praising her character and calling her a role model in a society often plagued by stories of financial misconduct.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
