A Nigerian man has triggered intense public debate after reportedly choosing a one-year prison term rather than refunding hundreds of millions of naira wrongly credited to his bank account.
The case, which gained traction on social media, involved Ojo Eghosa Kingsley, a First Bank customer who allegedly received an erroneous deposit of ₦1.5 billion into his account between June and November 2025. Instead of alerting the bank, Kingsley was said to have withdrawn and spent a significant portion of the funds.
Following investigations, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Kingsley in Benin City and arraigned him on January 19, 2026, before the Edo State High Court on charges of theft and fraud under the Edo State Criminal Law, 2022. He pleaded guilty to the offences.
Court records showed that before sentencing, the EFCC recovered ₦802.42 million from Kingsley’s account and those of his mother and sister. An additional ₦300 million was retrieved through transaction reversals carried out by the bank.
At sentencing, the court ordered Kingsley to refund the outstanding balance of ₦272,252,193.59 to First Bank. However, in a move that stunned many observers, he reportedly informed the court that he would rather serve a one-year jail term than repay the remaining sum.
The unusual decision has continued to fuel online reactions, with many Nigerians questioning the legal, moral and financial implications of choosing incarceration over restitution.
