FAILED ATM TRANSACTION CASE: UBA WITNESS TESTIFIES, CASE ADJOURNED FOR ADOPTION OF FINAL WRITTEN ADDRESS

The Defence specifically, the 2^nd Defendant (UBA Plc.), closed their case today in the very important test case of KUME BRIDGET ASHIEMAR v GT BANK PLC. &UBA PLC. (SUIT No. MHC/198/14). The case involves a claim of failed ATM transaction as alleged by the plaintiff  and it is probably the first Nigerian case to seek to address the failure of ATM to dispense cash as other ATM cases had dealt with unauthorized ATM withdrawals.

The Plaintiff sometimes in October, 2013 attempted severally to withdraw money from the ATM of 2^nd Defendant but according to the plaintiff the ATM failed to dispense cash nevertheless her account was debited. According to the defendants the withdrawal attempts were successful. Plaintiff disagreed and sued the Defendants.

The Plaintiff opened her case, testified and was cross-examined, while the 1^st Defendant opened their case on Thursday, 22^nd June, 2017 calling their sole witness who testified and was cross-examined. The case was then adjourned to 20^th July, 2017 for 2^nd defendant to call their own witness to testify. On 20^th July, 2017 the court did not sit. The case then suffered several adjournments between 20^th July, 2017 and 9^th November, 2017 owing the court going on its annual vacation and strike action by the Benue State civil servants.

However, today, 9^th November, 2017, the 2^nd Defendant proceeded to call her sole witness who testified and was cross-examined, after which the case for the Defence was closed. The case has now been adjourned to 21^st December, 2017 for adoption of final written address. After the adoption of final written address the case would be slated for judgment. Whatever the court decides will go a long way in developing Nigerian law with regards to failed ATM transactions.