Data Breach: Former Employee Sues Promasidor, Zenith Bank For N500 Million Over Personal Records Shared With Police.
A former employee of Promasidor Nigeria Limited has filed a lawsuit against the company and Zenith Bank Plc at the Federal High Court in Lagos, alleging breach of personal data and violation of privacy rights.
In suit No. FHC/L/CS/2465/23, Mr. John Ikemenogo claimed that while he was queried by Promasidor over a potential conflict of interest, the company obtained his bank account statements from Zenith Bank and shared them with the police, leading to his detention for 96 hours.
According to court documents, Mr. Ikemenogo was interrogated over transactions on his account statement which Promasidor and Zenith Bank released to the Special Fraud Unit without his consent.
Mr. Ikemenogo argued that Zenith Bank owed him a duty of confidentiality over his personal financial data which they breached by disclosing his statements. He is seeking N500 million in damages from Promasidor, Zenith Bank and two Promasidor employees named in the suit.
The alleged data privacy infringement case follows numerous calls for stronger data protection in Nigeria.
Justice Faji of the Federal High Court has adjourned hearing to March 21, 2024. The impending case puts further spotlight on data handling practices of Nigerian companies.
