By Habeeb Ibrahim
A Nigerian Twitter user, known as FC LAWYER (@OnyeMadu26), has raised concerns over alleged manipulative practices by loan app representatives after claiming he was nearly tricked into taking out a second loan disguised as a “clearance process.”
In a now-viral thread posted over the Easter weekend, FC LAWYER detailed how he borrowed N44,000 through EaseMoni to meet urgent financial needs. The loan, however, became overdue by eight days, accruing to over N53,000 due to interest and rollover penalties.
After struggling to raise the funds, he eventually paid off the debt but was immediately asked to fill a “clearance form” by someone he believed to be a representative of the loan company. What followed, he alleged, was an attempt to covertly enroll him in a fresh loan without his explicit consent.
“I didn’t understand the form, so I asked for help,” he tweeted. “Next thing, I realized they were luring me into taking a fresh loan… without even knowing!”
The situation sparked a flurry of reactions on Twitter. Some criticized the tactics of digital lenders, while others mocked the user for airing his grievances publicly.
Another user, Jaynett (@adewunmii), wrote: “Click on ‘take this loan’ as how? Is that not wickedness???”
Others shared similar experiences. Ayothefirst (@Waynejamil) recounted owing over N200,000 and receiving no support after reaching out. “Someone just commented: ‘You took it, man up and pay.’ That day, I swallowed it,” he recalled.
Amid the back-and-forth, questions arose about the consistency of information provided by loan app representatives. FC LAWYER said two different handlers gave conflicting rollover percentages—one stated 2%, another said 1%—raising doubts about transparency in loan terms and communication.
“There’s no uniformity in their statements, and yet they want you to take another loan instantly,” he noted.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has in recent times delisted and sanctioned several non-compliant loan apps for unethical practices. But many Nigerians still fall victim to aggressive or deceptive lending schemes.
FC LAWYER, his experience is a cautionary tale. “In Naija, even when you think you’re done paying, the system might still find a way to bill you again,” he concluded.
Efforts to get official responses from EaseMoni and related platforms were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
