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The banker customer relationship, being contractual, is fundamentally premised on the ability of a bank to fulfil its obligations to customers by honouring cheques validly drawn on customers' accounts. Failure to honour validly drawn cheques would amount to breach of contract and consequent liability for the bank. However, the onus of proof of wrongful dishonour of a validly drawn cheque lies on the customer. This is an onerous duty and its discharge would determine the extent of the bank's liability and quantum of damages likely to be awarded against it. This paper considers the banker s obligation to honour bills, the burden of proof in cases of wrongful dishonour of cheques and the consequent legal implications of such action. The paper argues that the current position of the law on proof of dishonour is rather hazy and confusing, in light of certain case law decisions of superior courts on the issue, especially in Nigeria, even in the face of some other decisions that clarify the issue. The paper posits that the haze has been cleared but need restatement by superior courts so as to clearly settle the rule on the issue and lay to rest any likely confusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the efforts to provide effective bank customer protection in Nigeria as of 2015, and it mentions the author's recommendation regarding the creation of a banking ombudsman system. The bargaining power of the contracting parties in a banker-customer relationship is mentioned, along with government regulatory mechanisms and consumer protection laws in Nigeria. The nation's banking industry and banking laws are examined, as well as statutes and administrative policies.

The article discusses what the authors believe is a need for banking regulators in Nigeria to shift their emphasis from consolidation to the repositioning of banks in order to achieve financial stability in the nation, and it mentions a push to strengthen monitoring and supervision measures to prevent consolidated banks from sliding into distress. Nigeria's Banking Ordinance of 1952 is mentioned, along with laissez faire banking (free banking), bank liquidations, and a global financial crisis.