The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has demanded that Access Bank reverse an unauthorized withdrawal of N10 million from the organization’s bank account.
In a letter dated July 19, 2024 and addressed to the Managing Director of Access Bank, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman John Aikpokpo-Martins stated that the bank allowed the withdrawal despite being notified that issues concerning NBA-SPIDEL are currently before the courts in two separate lawsuits.
The letter referenced a court order restraining the Yakubu Maikyau-led NBA administration from holding the NBA-SPIDEL Conference that was scheduled for July 18, 2024 and extending the interim order until July 30, 2024.
“Despite our letters to you that the issue concerning NBA-SPIDEL is subjudice in Suit Nos: EHC/40/2024: John Aikpokpo-Martins & Anor vs Yakubu Maikyau, SAN & 2 Ors and W/128/2024: John Aikpokpo-Martins vs Ben Oji & Anor at the Effurun and Warri divisions of the Delta State High Court, you still went ahead to allow withdrawal of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) from the said account on the 19th of July, 2024,” Aikpokpo-Martins wrote.
The NBA-SPIDEL Chairman demanded that Access Bank reverse the transaction immediately upon receipt of the letter, warning of the legal implications of any unauthorized withdrawal from the SPIDEL account.
Recall that (NBA-SPIDEL) had on July 5, 2024 accused Access Bank PLC of unethical conduct in changing the authorized signatories to its account without the knowledge and consent of the lawful signatories. Meanwhile, sources within NBA HQ said that the money was meant to have been used for the 2024 NBA-SPIDEL conference.