Mr. Herbert Wigwe Access Bank MD
Despite pleas from Access Bank to customers not to close their accounts with the bank, more Nigerians have joined the bandwagon of those calling for a run on the bank after it froze the accounts of eight #EndSARS protesters.
In the wake of a clampdown on perceived sponsors and leaders of the #EndSARS protests which turned bloody after it was hijacked by hoodlums, Access Bank, acting on a court order, had placed a post-no-debit-order (freezing of account) on the accounts of some of its customers suspected to have played major roles in the protests.
This angered many Nigerians especially the youths prompting them to send out signals to those sympathetic of their cause to close their accounts with the bank.
But the Bank had in a prompt response pleaded for understanding, explaining that it acted within the ambit of the law. However, this does not appear to sit well with the youths as more people have urged their friends and families to boycott the bank. The youths are using social media channels including Twitter and Facebook to give verve to their voice. Some claimed they have actually closed their accounts with Access Bank while urging others to follow suit.
The bank had frozen the accounts of some eight #EndSARS promoters on the orders of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
But the bank in a statement offered an explainer: “We want to express our sympathy for the inconvenience that eight of our customers are going through due to the restrictions on their accounts as mandated by a federal court order. We are eager for this to be resolved as soon as possible
“It is common knowledge that we and the entire banking industry are regulated entities and therefore operate under the authority of our regulators and law enforcement agencies. As such we are compelled to comply with regulatory directives.
“While acknowledging the concern of all well-meaning parties, we urge that enquiries and views be channeled to the relevant regulatory and judicial agencies where the matter is receiving attention.
“It is therefore surprising that some individuals still choose to target Access Bank in a negative manner despite not being the source of the action.”
