First Bank Withholds Dead Customer’s Balance Over Strange Loan—-A civil servant living in Iwo, Osun State, has shared how First Bank refused to release the money in her late husband’s account.
The civil servant, who does not want to be named, told FIJ that the state government under former governor Rauf Aregbesola owed workers, including her late husband, three years’ half salaries.
In 2023, Ademola Adeleke, the current governor, began paying part of the backlog of unpaid salaries. FIJ learned that when the widow tried to access the money at First Bank, where her husband’s account was domiciled, the bank told her that the money had been written off for a purported unpaid loan, and that she could not withdraw it.
This revelation was surprising because, according to the woman, her husband did not take any loans. Also, when she first went to the bank to confirm the payment in September 2023, the bank official who verified it didn’t mention any unpaid loan.
She noted that even after her husband’s passing in 2020, she still carried out some transactions on the account until the debit card issued to the deceased expired. “After I learned that the government had started paying part of the unpaid salaries, I went to his bank in Iwo in September 2023.
An official told me that about N108,000 had been paid into my husband’s account. However, I could not access it because it was not my account,” she told FIJ. “Then I made inquiries from my colleagues, and I gathered that I would have to notify the state government, who would then reach out to the bank so the money could be released to me.”
The deceased man’s wife told FIJ that she secured a letter of administration, dated November 23, 2023, from the state government through the state’s ministry of justice.
“I took the letter to First Bank in Iwo. I also wrote a letter of reactivation of the account, but I still could not access the money. I went to the bank again sometime in February 2024, and an official claimed the account had been written off due to loan balances.
But I know my husband had no unpaid loan. “When I asked them to provide his account statement, the official said I wouldn’t be able to get it. But he said he would email the headquarters about the whole issue.” In response to FIJ’s email sent in March, Thaddeus Ozioko, an official from First Bank, wrote:
“In consideration of the sensitive nature of your request, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide assistance through this channel. Kindly note that your request will need to be addressed in person at one of our branches.”
Portugal’s hopes of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a heartbreaking end after Mikel Merino’s late strike earned Spain a dramatic 1-0 victory in a tense Round of 16 clash at Dallas Stadium.
Just when extra time appeared inevitable, substitute Merino delivered the decisive moment in the 91st minute, calmly slotting home after being picked out by Ferran Torres to send Spain into the quarter-finals and leave Portugal devastated.
The highly anticipated Iberian derby lived up to its billing, with both sides creating opportunities in an evenly contested first half. Spain threatened through Mikel Oyarzabal and the lively Lamine Yamal, while Portugal came close through Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix and Nuno Mendes. Goalkeepers Unai Simón and Diogo Costa were both called into action as neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval.
After the restart, Spain gradually took control of possession, patiently probing Portugal’s defence with Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo dictating the tempo in midfield. Portugal remained disciplined at the back and looked dangerous on the counterattack, but Roberto Martínez’s side struggled to create clear-cut chances as Spain’s pressure continued to build.
The decisive moment finally arrived deep into stoppage time. Ferran Torres threaded a clever pass into the path of Merino, who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes. The Arsenal midfielder kept his composure, steering a low finish beyond Diogo Costa to spark jubilant celebrations among the Spanish players and supporters.
Portugal threw everyone forward in a desperate search for an equaliser. Bernardo Silva came agonisingly close in the dying moments, but his header drifted over the crossbar as Spain held firm to secure a famous victory.
The defeat marked a bitter end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup campaign. The 41-year-old captain, who had confirmed before the tournament that this would be his last appearance on football’s biggest stage, was unable to inspire Portugal to another comeback despite leading the line throughout the contest. As the final whistle blew, Ronaldo received a standing ovation from supporters, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest World Cup careers in football history.
Spain, meanwhile, march confidently into the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the United States and Belgium. Luis de la Fuente’s side once again demonstrated their resilience and patience, with Merino’s late heroics keeping alive their dream of lifting a second FIFA World Cup trophy.
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a club-record £100 million deal with Newcastle United to sign Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, in what is set to become one of the biggest transfers of the summer window. The agreement is understood to be worth an initial £92.5 million, with a further £7.5 million in performance-related add-ons.
The 26-year-old is expected to sign a long-term contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after agreeing personal terms. Tonali is reportedly set to become one of the club’s highest-paid players, with manager Roberto De Zerbi playing a pivotal role in convincing his fellow Italian to make the move to North London.
De Zerbi identified Tonali as the cornerstone of his midfield rebuild, believing the Italy international possesses the technical quality, leadership and tactical intelligence needed to transform Spurs into Premier League and UEFA Champions League contenders. The pair share a close footballing philosophy, with sources indicating Tonali was persuaded by De Zerbi’s long-term vision for the club.
Tonali joined Newcastle United from AC Milan in 2023 for around £55 million and quickly became one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders. Although his first season in England was interrupted by a 10-month suspension for breaches of betting regulations, he returned strongly and helped Newcastle end their long wait for major silverware by winning the Carabao Cup before re-establishing himself as one of the league’s elite central midfielders.
For Newcastle, the sale represents a substantial profit and provides significant financial flexibility as the club continues to reshape its squad. Reports suggest Eddie Howe’s side are already targeting replacements, including Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Touré and Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi, while also exploring further additions before the new season begins.
The acquisition of Tonali signals Tottenham’s intent under De Zerbi. The Italian midfielder is expected to become the centerpiece of a revamped Spurs side aiming to challenge for domestic honours and compete strongly in Europe. Once the medical and final paperwork are completed, Tonali will officially become Tottenham’s most expensive signing in the club’s history, eclipsing all previous transfer records.