By Okafor Joseph Afam
November 24, 2024

An activist and social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, renowned for his vocal stand against societal injustices, has spotlighted a contentious inheritance dispute involving Access Bank. The case centers on allegations that the bank withheld ₦500 million belonging to the family of the late Mr. Edongesi Edit Hour, sparking public outrage and legal battles.

In a viral video uploaded on his Instagram account yesterday, VeryDarkMan detailed the family’s plight and accused Access Bank of fraudulent practices. According to his account, Mr. Edongesi passed away on April 17, 2019, leaving no will but confiding in his sister, Basi Edit Hour, about substantial funds spread across several Nigerian banks, including Access Bank, GT Bank, and Keystone Bank.

Equipped with a Letter of Administration from the Kaduna High Court, Basi successfully retrieved ₦10 million from GT Bank and ₦2.9 million from Keystone Bank. However, her attempts to access an alleged ₦500 million held by Access Bank have been met with fierce resistance and inconsistencies.

Access Bank’s Denial and Allegations of Misconduct

According to VeryDarkMan, Access Bank initially denied the existence of Mr. Edongesi’s account. However, after intervention from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which confirmed accounts linked to Mr. Edongesi’s BVN, the bank admitted to holding an account but claimed it had been dormant since 2016, with a balance of just 54 kobo.

This stark contrast between the family’s claims and the bank’s position has raised suspicions. The family alleges that transaction records from 2016 to 2020 were deliberately withheld, leaving significant gaps in the account history.

Timeline of Events

1. 2019: The family obtained a Letter of Administration and retrieved funds from GT Bank and Keystone Bank.
2. 2020: Access Bank disclosed partial statements, claiming the account was dormant with an insignificant balance.
3. 2020–2022: The family pursued legal petitions and demanded complete account records, which the bank reportedly failed to provide.
4. 2024: The case gained renewed attention as VeryDarkMan’s advocacy brought it to the public spotlight.

Public Outcry and Calls for Justice

VeryDarkMan’s emotional plea in the video has resonated with Nigerians, many of whom expressed outrage at the banking system’s alleged failure to safeguard customers’ funds. “This is not just about one family,” he said. “It’s about ensuring that every Nigerian can trust the banking system to protect their hard-earned money.”

The activist called for greater regulatory oversight of dormant accounts and inheritance processes to prevent similar occurrences. The video has since sparked debates about banking ethics and the need for reforms in Nigeria’s financial institutions.

Legal and Regulatory Pressure on Access Bank

With legal battles escalating, analysts suggest Access Bank may face significant consequences if found culpable. Public confidence in the banking sector is at stake, and the family of Mr. Edongesi Edit Hour continues to demand justice.

As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how Access Bank will respond to mounting public and legal pressure. For now, the story serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges families face in navigating inheritance disputes within Nigeria’s financial system.