Ex-Jaiz Bank Manager Accused of Defrauding 12 Customers of ₦104 Million in Jos

Timescope News

A former Jaiz Bank employee, Habiba Abdulrahman, 35, is facing allegations of defrauding 12 bank customers of ₦104 million in Jos, Plateau State.

A Plateau State Police investigation report revealed that Habiba, who previously served as Operations Head, allegedly collected customers' funds under the pretext of opening Fixed Deposit accounts for them, while no such accounts were ever opened.

She was accused of using fabricated bank documents and forged signatures to deceive the customers, diverting the funds into accounts belonging to her husband, Manir Murtala, and her younger sister, Zainab Abdulrahman.

Police said they recovered fake withdrawal slips and deposit receipts from the suspect's home, and investigation showed that no legitimate fixed deposit accounts were opened for the victims.

The report also stated that Habiba admitted to defrauding the customers, claiming she invested the money in mining, though no evidence was found to substantiate this.

Investigation further revealed that Habiba was dismissed from her job in January 2026 after the bank discovered irregularities. Police subsequently arrested her and detained her for two weeks before granting her bail on health grounds.

Currently, the affected customers have staged a protest in front of the bank in Jos, demanding the return of their money.

However, the bank's lawyer, Munir Barau, stated that the customers dealt directly with the former employee, not with the bank, noting that some of them conducted transactions outside working hours, including at her home.

The report said it has not yet been confirmed whether Habiba and those alleged to have assisted her have been arraigned in court.

Habiba told a newspaper correspondent that she would provide her own account of the matter in due course.