Nairalanders, please help with this issue. A friend just narrated his ongoing ordeal at the First Bank.

Happened late last year (November to be precise).
His younger brother sent money to them (from Europe), but there was a typo in the account number, so the money was paid into a wrong account. Both accounts have the same surname and first name, but different middle name, and the account numbers are almost the same..only difference in the account number is that one has 72 and the other has 27. All others details are the same.

The bank was notified of the mistake the day the transaction was made, and they agreed it was an error and placed a hold on the account the money was mistakenly paid into. He was asked to tell the agent that transfered the money to formally write to the bank and explained it was a mistake. This he did, and the formal request for correction was made.
The problem now is that First bank has been trying to avoid releasing the money to them. The bank is claiming that the account the money was paid into has become dormant and they have been unable to contact him... that they need to hear from the mistaken account owner.. They are now asking him to get an order from a judge before the money could be released.
His worried they are trying to frustrate him and that they may give another excuse even if he gets the order.
Should just he get a lawyer and sue First Bank or are there other less expensive and faster ways to get his money.

Please, note that the account is not new.
No one is disputing his claim.
Nothing suspicious in the transaction.
The brothers have been remitting funds to the account before.

lalasticlala, please help me get some view and opinions.

.

wisino1:
You can't sue first bank because the mistake is from your end I advice you do what you were ask to do get the papers from the judge and give if after that there is another excuse you can now come up with the ideal to sue.....for me I think you have not exhausted all available means for peaceful resolution of the matter ....... Beside how much be the money self.....how much you go pay laser.....how much you go take file the case......and how much claim you go demand ......

Thanks for your input bro.
The money is not much, (about 700k).
It's just that the Bank knows it was an error but they are dragging their feet about reversing it.

Lalasticlala sir, please help me get some view on this thread. I really need urgent advice.

Thank you.

The money has been returned and this matter has been resolved.

Thanks to everyone for the help.

IdeaCashKid:
The money has been returned and this matter has been resolved.

Thanks to everyone for the help.

since that April?