Access Bank Plc has refunded the sum of N3.2 million to a customer whose savings were withdrawn from her account without her consent.
The customer, identified as Rita, a Nigerian woman who had been working as a cleaner in Dubai, discovered the loss upon her return to Nigeria. She Access Bank Refunds N3.2 Million to One Customer After Unauthorised Withdrawals (video) Bank account over several years, building the balance to approximately N3.2 million.
While she was abroad, a series of unauthorised withdrawals depleted the account, leaving it nearly empty.
In a viral video that circulated widely on social media in late August 2026, Rita tearfully recounted her ordeal. She explained that she had visited the bank repeatedly after discovering the missing funds, only to be told that the matter was under investigation.
Reports indicated that withdrawals had been occurring since around October 2025, and there were claims that her SIM card may have been reassigned due to inactivity, enabling the transactions. She appealed for public assistance, noting she lacked the resources to pursue the matter in court.
The video drew significant attention and intervention from social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). Following the public outcry and VDM’s involvement, Access Bank processed a full refund of the N3.2 million to Rita’s account. Updates shared on social media, including statements attributed to VDM, confirmed that the money had been restored.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the security of customer funds, the handling of inactive accounts, and the challenges Nigerians face when seeking redress for unauthorised transactions. Banking industry observers and customer advocacy groups have repeatedly called for greater transparency and faster resolution mechanisms in such disputes.
Access Bank has not issued a detailed public statement explaining the precise cause of the unauthorised withdrawals or the circumstances that led to the refund in this specific case.
Customers are generally advised to regularly monitor their accounts, enable transaction alerts, keep contact details updated, and promptly report any suspicious activity to their banks and relevant authorities, including the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Department when necessary.
The successful recovery of Rita’s savings has been welcomed by many online as a positive outcome driven by public pressure, though questions remain about how many similar cases go unresolved without similar visibility.
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