- VeryDarkMan alleged that a deceased Access Bank customer’s N500 million was missing from the account
- Access Bank denied the claims, saying it is “baseless and “untrue”
- Nigerians have taken to social media to express opinions on the matter
Access Bank and social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, have been embroiled in a war of words in the last few days over an alleged missing N500 million from a deceased Access Bank customer’s account.
Over the weekend, VeryDarkMan called out Access Bank, alleging that the family of a deceased customer could not retrieve the N500 million left in his bank account because the money was missing.
In a now-viral video, he said the deceased had informed his family of various bank accounts, including an Access Bank account, where he had money and the amount on his deathbed.
Access Bank reacts
In its rebuttal on Sunday, November 24, Access Bank described the allegation as “baseless” and “untrue.”
The bank dismissed the claim in a statement on its social media platforms on Sunday, assuring the public that it maintains the highest standards of security and transparency in its operations.
The bank’s statement read, “First and foremost, we wish to emphasise that the safety and security of our customers’ funds are core priorities which we take seriously. Second, Access Bank Plc does not engage in or condone any unethical behaviour.
“In the instant case, the allegations of missing funds in the bank are most untrue and baseless. There is no N500 million or any other fund or amount missing from the subject customer’s account or from any other customer’s account with us.
“We and other independent stakeholders in the banking industry have thoroughly investigated these allegations and independently arrived at the same conclusions.
“We protect our customers’ interests whilst also respecting privacy laws. Consequently, whilst we have engaged and will continue to engage with our customers, we must advise the public not to rely on or believe sensational and unverified claims that are designed to titillate and mislead the public.”
VeryDarkMan faults the bank’s rebuttal
In reaction to Access Bank’s statement denying the allegation of missing N500 million from its customer’s account, VeryDarkMan asked the bank to explain missing parts of the customer’s account statement.
He queried why the statement of account did not include details of transactions on the account in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
VeryDarkMan said, “I just saw your response to the allegations of the missing 500 million naira from a dead client account. My first question to Access Bank is, why did the bank statement skip from 2016 to 2020? Where are the statements of 2017, 2018, and 2019?”
Nigerians react to the war of words
While the arguments and statements rage on, Nigerians have taken to social media, especially the micro-blogging platform X, to express opinions on the matter.
@anewnijeria tweeted, “@myaccessbank kindly publish the details of the account from the day the account was opened till date. Kindly explained (sic) to Nigerians how an account was opened for years without deposit and the account is still active till date.”
@Omo_Alkebulan wrote, “Dem go explain tire. Very Dark Man has taken the case. It’s time for Access Bank to learn the hard way. I only hope they don’t buy the woman out like the House of Representatives bought the Uber driver.”
@Dozzy_Dozzy22 said, “On top bank statements wey una dey hide like APC govt palliative?? Time for external forensic audit of that account. Else una @accessbank_help go explain tire.”
@Junk123Cyber tweeted, “Then they should provide the complete account statement. You can never trust Nigerian banks especially when you hear some stories that go on inside the bank.”
@azuka111 wrote, “Access bank should clear themselves by providing the statement of account from the day of account opening till date. Why hide that? Una no serious. Many Nigerian banks are thieves period.”
@ubedison said, “@access_more should clarify this issue quickly. The rumours are spreading like wildfire. I just heard about this story from market women who are all now scared of their funds in the bank.”
Bank customers call for urgent intervention in consistent network failures
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that customers of various banks in the country decried the consistent failure in the online network of financial institutions.
Some of the customers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, October 10, said that the situation was becoming recurring, frustrating and worrisome.
