Nationwide — Chidozie Okike and two of his family members, Renda and Amanda, have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit against Campus USA Credit Union, alleging racial discrimination, sex discrimination, national origin discrimination, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and unfair lending practices. The plaintiffs are seeking $90 million in damages.

The complaint details an incident on March 30, 2024, in which the plaintiffs allege they were unlawfully denied a personal loan at Campus USA’s Newberry branch and subjected to humiliating treatment based on race, national origin, and sex. The suit further alleges that Campus USA employees made false and defamatory statements to law enforcement, leading to an unwarranted police welfare check at the plaintiffs’ home and subsequent collateral damage to Mr. Okike’s parental rights in an ongoing custody case.

According to the filing, the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office investigated the matter and, on March 10, 2025, issued a Final Investigative Summary concluding there was reasonable cause to believe that Campus USA violated the county’s Human Rights Ordinance. The report allegedly found inconsistencies in the credit union’s explanations for denying the plaintiffs’ loan application and determined that a racially biased call to law enforcement supported an inference of disparate treatment.

The plaintiffs claim the incident caused severe emotional distress, humiliation, reputational damage, and financial losses, forcing them to secure higher-interest credit elsewhere. They also allege the bank’s false statements were later weaponized in family court proceedings.

The lawsuit demands:

• $90 million in compensatory, punitive, and reputational damages
• Damages for interference with child custody proceedings
• Additional relief as deemed proper by the court

“Campus USA’s actions have devastated our family, harmed our reputations, and created long-lasting emotional trauma,” said the plaintiffs in a joint statement. “We are seeking justice not just for ourselves, but to ensure that no other family is subjected to discriminatory treatment when seeking basic financial services.”

The plaintiffs are represented by Nichelle Lynn Womble, Esq. of Amethyst Law Group, Tampa, FL.

For press inquiries or media interviews, contact Nichelle Lynn Womble, Esq., Amethyst Law Group, at (844) 482-1239 or nichelle@amethystlawgroup.com