The House of Representatives has summoned the chief executives of Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR and two other Nigerian Banks over allegations of unauthorised deductions from the accounts of civil servants, public-sector workers, and other customers, a move that puts three of Nigeria’s biggest lenders under intense scrutiny.
The summons, issued by the House investigative panel chaired by Kelechi Nwogu, mandates the CEOs to appear in person, with no option of sending representatives. Nwogu stressed that full accountability is required at the highest level: “You cannot appear here without an identity,” he warned during Tuesday’s session in Abuja.
The three banks have been given four days to submit all relevant documents ahead of the next hearing on Wednesday. Lawmakers cautioned that failure to comply could result in sanctions.
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The probe follows widespread complaints from Nigerians about unexplained bank charges, mysterious payroll deductions, and irregular withdrawals issues that have disproportionately affected public-sector employees.
The investigation is not limited to financial institutions alone. The committee is also summoning key government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The panel will examine deductions, remittances, and compliance processes to determine whether any of the institutions acted unlawfully.
For millions of Nigerian bank customers, this inquiry may provide long-awaited clarity on whether these controversial deductions were legitimate or evidence of systemic malpractice. For the banks, the next few days could be critical offering a chance to defend their processes or face punitive measures and reputational fallout.
Lawmakers say the goal is simple: protect Nigerians from improper billing practices and strengthen transparency across the financial sector. With public trust in banking already strained, the outcome of this investigation could redefine how customer accounts are managed in the years ahead.
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