VeryDarkMan claims that Access Bank has withheld funds amounting to ₦500M from a late customer, urging for justice on behalf of the grieving family.

 An activist and social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, widely known for his advocacy against societal injustices, has called public attention to a high-stakes case involving Access Bank and an alleged ₦500 million inheritance dispute. In a viral video shared on his Instagram page yesterday, he provided an exhaustive account of how the family of the late Mr. Edongesi  has been allegedly denied rightful access to the deceased’s funds.

According to VeryDarkMan, the situation began when Mr. Edongesi  passed away on April 17, 2019, without leaving a will. Prior to his death, he had informed his sister, Basi , about his financial holdings across several Nigerian banks, including GT Bank, Keystone Bank, and Access Bank. Armed with a Letter of Administration from the Kaduna High Court, his sister successfully retrieved funds from GT Bank (₦10 million) and Keystone Bank (₦2.9 million). However, an alleged ₦500 million held in Access Bank has become the focal point of a heated legal and public dispute.

VeryDarkMan revealed that Access Bank initially denied the existence of the deceased’s account altogether. Even after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) verified accounts under Mr. Edongesi’s BVN, the bank allegedly provided incomplete records. In a 2020 statement, Access Bank claimed the account had been dormant since its creation in 2016 and showed a minimal balance of just 54 kobo. The family, however, argues that the missing financial records from 2016 to 2020 suggest potential misconduct.

The dispute has followed a concerning timeline: In 2019, the family secured the Letter of Administration and verified accounts with GT Bank and Keystone Bank. By 2020, Access Bank disclosed only partial statements with significant omissions while claiming the account was virtually empty. Despite years of legal petitions and demands through 2022, Access Bank reportedly failed to produce complete account transaction records. As of 2024, the case has intensified with mounting legal and public pressure demanding explanations for the missing funds.

In his viral video, VeryDarkMan strongly criticized Access Bank, accusing them of fraudulent practices. He emphasized the broader implications of the case, stating, “This is not just about one family. It’s about ensuring that every Nigerian can trust the banking system to safeguard their money for future generations.” The allegations have triggered widespread public outrage, leading to increased calls for stricter oversight of banks’ handling of dormant accounts and inheritance claims.