A disturbing legal and financial dispute is unfolding, as the family of the late Mr. Edongesi Edith Hour continues to be denied access to his substantial funds, following his death in April 2019. The case, which has sparked outrage and raised questions about the banking system’s transparency, involves ₦500 million allegedly held in Access Bank.
In a video shared on his Instagram page, activist VeryDarkMan shed light on the ongoing battle the Hour family has been fighting since Mr. Edongesi passed away without leaving a will. According to VeryDarkMan, Mr. Edongesi had informed his sister, Basi Edith Hour, about his accounts at various Nigerian banks, including GT Bank, Keystone Bank, Diamond Bank, and Access Bank, before his death.
After obtaining a Letter of Administration from the Kaduna High Court, Basi was able to retrieve ₦10 million from GT Bank and ₦2.9 million from Keystone Bank. However, Access Bank has reportedly been stonewalling the family regarding a ₦500 million account, leading to an escalating dispute.
Access Bank initially denied the existence of the account, despite confirmation from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that accounts linked to Mr. Edongesi’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) did exist. When the bank did provide records, they were reportedly incomplete. In 2020, Access Bank claimed that the account, opened in 2016, was dormant and contained just 54 kobo, a statement the family disputes.
Suspicion arose when missing financial records spanning from 2016 to 2020 were not provided, raising concerns of possible foul play. Despite obtaining a Letter of Administration in 2019 and making repeated legal requests, Access Bank allegedly failed to supply complete account statements. By 2024, the matter had become a public issue, with mounting pressure on the bank to clarify the whereabouts of the missing funds.
VeryDarkMan, in his video, accused Access Bank of fraudulent behavior and called for a full investigation into the matter. He emphasized that this case was not just about one family’s loss, but about ensuring that Nigerians can trust their banks to protect their assets. “This is about the future of Nigerians,” he stated. “If we don’t address this, our generations will pay the price.
The video has sparked widespread criticism of Access Bank and brought attention to the issue of dormant accounts and inheritance claims. Many are calling for stricter regulations on how banks manage such accounts, especially in the aftermath of a customer’s death.
As the case continues to develop, the public awaits clarity on the missing ₦500 million and whether legal action will result in justice for the Hour family.
