Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmed has recounted his harrowing experience trying to recover money he mistakenly transferred to the wrong beneficiary in December 2024.

In a post on his X platform on Tuesday, February 18, he expressed frustration after making several legal attempts to reclaim his funds from the recipient, identified as Obi Ikechukwu Marcel.

Ahmed lamented how institutions responsible for consumer protection have failed him.

An excerpt of his post on X reads, "I just can’t understand why some of our institutions fail to protect us. In late December 2024, I mistakenly transferred money to the wrong bank account belonging to one Obi Ikechukwu Marcel. I reported the incident to @ProvidusBank the bank I made the transfer from, and they directed me to @myAccessBank the recipient’s bank."

"At Access Bank, they contacted Mr. Ikechukwu, who confirmed receiving the money but was unwilling to return it. When the bank representative informed him that his account would be flagged to prevent him from any further transactions, he then asked for some time to decide. However, after a week, when they tried to reach him again, he stopped answering calls. Eventually, Access Bank restricted his account, yet they told me there was nothing more they could do unless I obtained a court order."

"To my shock, when I went to the court to obtain the order, I was told that I had to pay 20% of the disputed amount upfront before they would proceed with the process."

I just can’t understand why some of our institutions fail to protect us. In late December 2024, I mistakenly transferred money to the wrong bank account belonging to one Obi Ikechukwu Marcel. I reported the incident to @ProvidusBank, the bank I made the transfer from, and they…

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) February 18, 2025