TheNewsGuru

Tag: Access Bank

  • Access bank in deep scandal over sacked staff who secretly filmed over 400 videos of female colleagues

    Access bank in deep scandal over sacked staff who secretly filmed over 400 videos of female colleagues

    Access Bank has reacted to the controversy involving a former Staff, Stephen Ifeanyichukwu Ejezie who secretly recorded over 400 videos of naked colleagues in the restroom.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Stephen Ifeanyichukwu Ejezie, a former quality assurance specialist at Access Bank’s contact center in Oniru, Lagos State, secretly recorded hundreds of video clips of his colleagues in the restrooms. He was caught in the female restroom around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. 

    Although the bank immediately terminated Ejezie’s employment, some affected employees have reportedly expressed concerns about their chances of obtaining justice after the staff was however released.

    In a statement signed by the bank’s management, Access Bank confirmed that the incident had been reported to the appropriate authorities and that an investigation is ongoing.

    The bank further disclosed that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities after terminating the employment of a staff member accused of secretly filming colleagues in the bank’s restrooms.

    “We uphold a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and any form of privacy violation,” the statement read.

    “We are fully cooperating with the authorities and engaging with affected employees to provide all necessary support.”

    The bank urged the public to rely on updates disseminated through its official communication channels, stressing that the safety, dignity, and well-being of its employees and customers remain its highest priority.

    Access Bank, however, expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their concern and support, assuring that investigations are ongoing.

  • Tinubu, Obasanjo, President of France, Barbados PM, others honour Wigwe

    Tinubu, Obasanjo, President of France, Barbados PM, others honour Wigwe

    President Bola Tinubu on Sunday in Lagos praised the late Access Bank CEO, Dr Herbert Wigwe, for his contributions to the growth of various sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

    Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, spoke at the first-year memorial service for Wigwe, his wife, and his son.

    The event, held in Victoria Island, honoured Wigwe, Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Holdings Plc, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States on Feb. 9, 2024.

    He perished alongside his wife, Doreen, their son, Chizi, and a friend, Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, as well as two crew members.

    Tinubu described Wigwe as more than a banker, calling him a builder of institutions, dreams, and people.

    He noted that Wigwe transformed Access Bank into a global financial powerhouse, elevating Nigeria’s banking sector to remarkable heights.

    According to Tinubu, Wigwe’s brilliance, resilience, and foresight positioned Access Bank as a major player, not only in Africa but also globally.

    He highlighted Wigwe’s contributions beyond banking, including achievements in education, youth empowerment, and healthcare through philanthropy.

    “Through the Wigwe University project, he sought to redefine higher education in Nigeria, believing knowledge and skills are the greatest investments in a nation’s future,” Tinubu said.

    “His impact extended beyond boardrooms and balance sheets. He touched lives, created opportunities, and inspired hope,” he added.

    Tinubu stated that Wigwe’s loss left an irreplaceable void, but his enduring legacy offers solace amid the grief.

    “His story reminds us that vision, hard work, and service to humanity are the true measures of greatness,” he said.

    The President extended condolences to the Wigwe family, Access Holdings, and others, while praying for the repose of the departed souls.

    “Nigeria has lost a shining star, but the light Herbert Wigwe ignited in our nation will never be dimmed,” he added.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also paid tribute, describing Wigwe’s death as an “indelible void” in Nigeria’s financial landscape.

    Obasanjo, represented by Bolaji Agbede, Acting CEO of Access Holdings, recalled how Wigwe and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede reshaped banking through trust, respect, and commitment.

    He praised Wigwe’s love for humanity, leadership qualities, and lasting legacies.

    “To the Wigwe family, Access Holdings, Aig, and all who loved Herbert, let us honour his memory by continuing his work of building lasting institutions,” Obasanjo said.

    “May his soul and the souls of his beloved wife, son, and friend continue to rest in perfect peace,” he added.

    French President Emmanuel Macron, represented by the Consul General of France in Lagos, Laurent Favier, also honoured Wigwe.

    Macron commended Wigwe’s entrepreneurial spirit and his passion for the arts.

    He acknowledged Wigwe’s role in strengthening Nigeria-France relations as President of the France-Nigeria Business Council.

    “The best tribute we can pay him today is to keep his legacies alive,” Macron said.

    Aig-Imoukhuede, Barbados Prime Minister, others, honour Wigwe’s memory

    Chairman, Access Holdings Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, has described his relationship with his  late friend and business partner, Dr Herbert Wigwe, as “sweet”and built on deep trust.

    Speaking at the one-year memorial service for Wigwe, his wife, and son in Lagos, Aig-Imoukhuede emphasised that their relationship transcended business.
    “We were bonded by trust, real and true trust, was something that we were both privileged to share,” he said.

    Wigwe, along with his wife Doreen, son Chizi, and a friend, Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, and two crew members, died in a helicopter crash in U.S. on Feb. 9, 2024.

    Wigwe and Aig-Imoukhuede, his longtime business partner and friend, acquired Access Bank in 2002.

    He narrated stories of close bond with the deceased and how the relationship extended between their family members.

    “We shared the most intense relationship. A relationship that was indeed, I can only use the word, sweet.

    “Sweet in good times, sweet in bad times, sweet in celebration, sweet at moments of despair. At all times, we were there for each other. Not sometimes, at all times,” he recalled.

    He clarified that his tribute wasn’t solely about their remarkable business success.

    “People speak about our partnership in terms of commercial or enterprise success, but the tribute I make to Herbert today is not that.

    “Together, we enjoyed probably Africa’s most successful partnership in business. That’s not the tribute.

    “The tribute I pay to Herbert today is that we were able to entrust each other with the things that were most important to us. He knew, just as I know, my most important secrets,” Aig-Imoukhuede revealed.

    He pledged his support to Wigwe’s children and family.

    Also, the first female Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, while delivering a keynote memorial, shared the endearing nature of Wigwe and his impact on her country.

    Mottley shared personal memories of Wigwe and highlighted his love for arts.

    “I believe that Herbert is enough to ensure that this legacy will live on.

    “The testimonies that we have heard this evening and the passion that we have heard from others will truly ensure that that his legacy lives on.

    “I say to you from my part in the Caribbean, in Barbados, that linkage ironically between those of Rivers State and my own country will find its way of also living on,” she said.

    Wigwe’s brother, Uche, his son David, his daughter, Tochi and other family members, friends of his late wife and those of his late son took turns to pay tributes.

    Meanwhile, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Senior Pastor of Trinity House, called for forgiveness among people, emphasising the power of peace and harmony.

    He also paid his tribute and later prayed for Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, committing them unto Gods hands.

    Similarly, Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna shared how the Access Bank family were able to wriggle through the painful moment of Wigwe’s demise in 2024.

    He recalled Wigwe’s strengths and quality moments that the Access colleagues still cherished.

  • Access Bank appoints new Non-Executive Director

    Access Bank appoints new Non-Executive Director

    Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Mr Uche Orji, as an Independent Non-Executive Director of its subsidiary, Access Bank Plc.

    A statement on Saturday night by the bank says the appointment took effect from Jan. 7, following the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The statement said the appointment reflected the bank’s commitment to enhancing governance practices and ensuring a diverse and experienced board.

    Orji is a renowned investment banking professional, information technology entrepreneur, and finance expert, with three decades of professional and board experience.

    He is the Co-founder and Partner of Titangate Capital Management, an equity firm, that invests in deep-tech, enterprise software, semi-conductors, hardware, and artificial intelligence companies.

    He is also the Founder and Director of Vitesse Africa Limited, an investment advisory firm, focused on African energy, technology and infrastructure sectors.

    He serves as an Executive Board member and investor in Ultrasafe AI, an artificial intelligence/IT development firm, that maintains strategic collaborations with leading technology companies.

    He also sits on the Board of Private Infrastructure Development Group, London, and chairs the Risk Committee.

    Previously, Orji served as the founding Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

    He held positions as Managing Director and Senior Analyst at UBS Securities Limited New York and Managing Director and Head of European Technology/Semiconductor Equity Research at JP Morgan Securities, London.

    He also served as Executive Director/Portfolio Manager at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, London.

    Earlier in his career, he was an Acting Financial Controller at Diamond Bank Limited and an Audit Trainee at Arthur Andersen and Co.

    He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Port-Harcourt and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

    Commenting on the appointment, Mr Paul Usoro, the Chairman of the Bank, said Orji was appointed based on his exceptionally rich professional, academic, and corporate board experience.

    He said the qualities would be invaluable to the bank as it continued to pursue its strategic objectives.

    “We are confident that his addition to the Board would further enrich the quality of our decision-making process, enabling us to deliver even greater value to our customers and stakeholders,” he said.

    Usoro said the appointment was made in accordance with the bank’s internal policies, which had been communicated to all relevant regulatory authorities due to its commitment to upholding highest standards of corporate governance.

    He welcomed Orji to the board and expressed optimism that he would contribute to ensuring that the bank becomes one of the top five African banks in the shortest possible time.

  • Access bank reacts as VeryDarkMan alleges missing N500m from customer’s account

    Access bank reacts as VeryDarkMan alleges missing N500m from customer’s account

    Access Bank has taken to social media to refute a fraud allegation by popular social media influencer Martins Otse popularly known as VeryDarkMan.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the social media critic had via his Instagram page on Sunday called out the bank, claiming they were involved in fraudulent practices concerning the account of a deceased customer amounting to N500 million.

    However, the bank, in a statement released reiterated its commitment to ethical practices, stressing that it neither engages in nor condones unethical behavior.

    The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a video on social media wherein allegations of missing funds and unethical behaviour have been made against Access Bank Plc.

    “First and foremost, we wish to emphasise that the safety and security of our customers’ funds are core priorities that we take seriously. Second, Access Bank Plc does not engage in or condone any unethical behaviour. In the instant case, the allegations of missing funds in the bank are most untrue and baseless.

    “There is no N500m or any other fund or amount missing from the subject customer’s account or any other customer’s account with us.

    “We and other independent stakeholders in the banking industry have thoroughly investigated these allegations and independently arrived at the same conclusions. Access Bank Plc operates with the highest ethical standards and we protect our customers’ interests whilst also respecting privacy laws.”

  • Late Herbert Wigwe’s family drag Access Chairman, Aig-Imoukhuede to court

    Late Herbert Wigwe’s family drag Access Chairman, Aig-Imoukhuede to court

    Christian Chukwuka Wigwe, a cousin of the late former Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, has filed an affidavit at the Lagos High Court Probate Registry, accusing former business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede of overstepping his bounds by assuming control of the deceased’s assets and children.

    Aig-Imoukhuede, according to Christian, has allegedly taken informal guardianship over the Wigwe children, a role that, rightfully belongs to their grandfather, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe.

    In the affidavit, dated October 7, 2024, Christian expressed concerns over Aig-Imoukhuede’s management of Herbert’s assets and influence over the welfare of the children—David, Hannah, and Great.

    According to Western Post, Christian asserts that, the responsibility of guardianship should fall naturally to the children’s grandfather, who is best positioned to make decisions regarding their upbringing, he affirmed this citing African traditions and family structure.

    Christian stated in the court filing, “In line with African values, it is customary that the father of the deceased, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, should be consulted to decide the welfare of his grandchildren. His natural role as their grandfather must not be bypassed.”

    Christian also outlines that the late CEO business partner’s current control over Herbert’s estate, including financial decisions, hampers late Herbert father’s ability to perform his duties as the head of the Wigwe family.

    The affidavit also noted that Aig-Imoukhuede has not provided clear updates on how the deceased’s funds are being allocated, hightlighting a lack of transparency regarding the use of Herbert Wigwe’s wealth, particularly for the welfare of the children and Herbert’s dependent parents.

    “Aig-Imoukhuede’s control over Herbert’s estate has created a power dynamic that has alienated key family members, including Pastor Shyngle, who would otherwise play a pivotal role in the children’s lives,” Christian emphasized.

    Christian, who acknowledged Aig-Imoukhuede’s contributions, such as providing financial support to Herbert’s parents and covering the children’s expenses, claimed that the absence of a formal accounting has led to growing concerns within the family about the overall management of the estate.

    The tension between family members has further escalated, with some aligning themselves with Aig-Imoukhuede in hopes of benefiting from his control over the estate. Christian warns that this imbalance of influence could potentially create deep-seated divisions within the Wigwe family.

    This dispute follows previous reports of Herbert Wigwe’s parents filing a caveat at the Probate Registry, challenging the directives outlined in their late son’s will.

    Although Pastor Shyngle has denied contesting his son’s estate, the ongoing legal battle has placed a spotlight on the power struggle over Herbert Wigwe’s legacy.

  • Access Bank faces N100m lawsuit over alleged unlawful deductions

    Access Bank faces N100m lawsuit over alleged unlawful deductions

    A legal practitioner, Mr Junaid Sanusi who is a customer of Access Bank Plc, has sued the bank for N100 million for allegedly deducting his money unlawfully. While arguing his originating summons before the Federal High Court at Ibadan on Monday, Sanusi informed the court that he operated a savings account with Access Bank Plc.

    He said that while going through his account he discovered that the bank was deducting more than N50 as an electronic levy stipulated by the Finance Act, 2019.

    “What is provided in the Finance Act is that banks should deduct N50 one-off for transactions above N10,000. I noticed that the bank deducts N100, N250 and so on from my account as FGN electronic levy,” the bank customer said.

    Sanusi told the court that any deduction on customers’ accounts must be subjected to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines 2020, and other Financial Institution Acts. He pointed out that these guidelines remained the only law allowing banks to make deductions from customers’ accounts.

    “The court needs to determine whether or not it is lawful for the defendant to make unauthorised deductions from my account in favour of FGN or another third party than the one allowed under the CBN guidelines and Finance Act for bank charges,” Sanusi said.

    He went on to inform the court that he relied on his filed affidavit, nine exhibits and a written address in support of his originating summons.

    Sanusi then urged the court to grant all his prayers. He asked it to restrain Access Bank from making further deductions on his account and reverse the monies deducted unlawfully from his account from March 27, 2020.

    ”This should be until judgment is delivered in the suit. Court should also order the bank to pay N100 million to me as exemplary damages for wrongful deductions it made in favour of FGN without my authorisation,” Sanusi said.

    In his reply, the counsel to Access Bank, Mr Ahmed Adeleke, informed the court that he had filed a counter-affidavit, attached exhibits and a written address to argument his case.

    He told the court that the bank reviewed the plaintiff’s three months’ statement of account between March 1, 2020 and May 29, 2020 to justify the deductions made.

    Adeleke said the bank never charged more than the amount stipulated by the law going by the plaintiff’s transactions within the months under review. He then urged the court to discountenance the plaintiff’s case with substantial cost. Justice Uche Agomog adjourned the case until Nov. 12 for judgment.

  • EFCC arraigns 3 men for allegedly stealing Access Bank N3.5bn

    EFCC arraigns 3 men for allegedly stealing Access Bank N3.5bn

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three men before an Ikeja Special Offences Court for allegedly stealing the sum of N3.5 billion from Access Bank.

    The three men are Michael Igbomins, David Onyeike and Moses Iruolaje, on two counts of stealing and retention of proceeds of crime.

    The defendants, whose residential addresses were not provided, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The EFCC Counsel, Mr Abdulhamid Tukur, thereafter, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a correctional facility.

    The defence counsel, however, informed the court that there was no pending application before the court and prayed that the needful would be done before the next adjourned date.

    The prosecutor told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences sometimes in 2023 in Lagos.

    The prosecution submitted that the defendants, with dishonest intent, allegedly stole and converted to their own use the sum of N3.5 billion, property of Access Bank.

    EFCC also alleged that the defendants retained the said amount of money, the proceed they knew to have been from unlawful act.

    According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged offences violate Section 17 of  the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004 and Section 280 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

    Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe remanded the defendants in Ikoyi Custodial Centre pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.

    Abike-Fadipe, however, adjourned the case until Nov. 28 for commencement of trial.

  • NGX market capitalisation reverses previous gain, sheds N18bn

    NGX market capitalisation reverses previous gain, sheds N18bn

    Market capitalisation on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) shed N18 billion on Friday as the gains recorded in the previous session were reversed.

    This indicates four losses out of the five trading sessions of the week.
    Notably, the market capitalisation which opened at N55.525 trillion, dropped N18 billion or 0.03 per cent to close at N55.507 trillion.
    The All-Share Index also declined by 0.03 per cent or 31 points to close at 98,125.73, as against 98,156.71 posted on Thursday.

    However, the Year-To-Date (YTD)return rose to 31.23 per cent.

    Meanwhile, profit-taking in the stocks of Seplat, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), Wema Bank, Transcorp Hotel, Eterna Plc, among other declined medium-capitalised equities pulled the market performance down.
    The market breadth also closed negative with 24 losers and 15 gainers.
    On the losers’ table, Transcorp Hotel led by 9.72 per cent to close at N92, NEM Insurance followed closely by 9.63 per cent to close at N8.45 per share.

    UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust lost 9.57 per cent to close at N4.25, Eterna shed 9.35 per cent to close at N11.15 and Tantalizers dropped 9.09 per cent to close at 50k per share.

    On the other side, PZ led the gainers’ table by 9.92 per cent, Julius Berger trailed by 9.53 per cent and Sterling Nigeria rose by 6.67 per cent to close at N4.48 per share.

    FCMB also gained 5.26 per cent to close at seven Naira and United Bank of Africa(UBA) added 4.55 per cent to close at N21.85 per share.

    Analysis of the market activity showed that trade turnover in volume settled 65.65 per cent lower and 5.53 per cent higher in value than the previous session.

    Specifically, investors traded a total of 140.77 million shares worth N9.42 billion in 6,934 deals, compared to 409.77 million shares valued at N8.93 billion and exchanged in 7,296 deals on Thursday.

    Meanwhile, Access Corporation led the activity table in volume with 25.61 million shares valued at N435.09 million, GTCO followed with 13.77 million shares worth N548.65 million to lead in value.

    UBA traded 5.63 million shares valued at N123.28 million, FBN Holdings sold N5.32 million shares worth N123.06 million and Wema Bank transacted 5.19 million shares worth N33.86 million.

  • Recapitalisation: We can raise $300m – Access Bank

    Recapitalisation: We can raise $300m – Access Bank

    Mr Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, says he’s confident that the bank would raise 300 million dollars in capital for Access Bank, considering the bank’s strong market position and shareholders’ support.

    Aig-Imokhuede said this in an interview on the sideline of Access Holdings’ second Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on March 29, directed commercial banks in Nigeria with international authorisation to shore up their capital base to N500 billion and national banks to N200 billion.

    Similarly, non-interest banks with national and regional authorisation will increase their capital to N20 billion and N10 billion, respectively.

    The recapitalisation exercise is expected to commence from April 1, to March 31, 2026.

    Consequently, the shareholders of Access Bank, iat the AGM, unanimously backed the Group’s plan to establish a capital raising programme of up to $1.5 billion.

    They also agreed to the subset initiative to raise up to N365 billion specifically, through a Rights Issue of ordinary shares to its shareholders.

    The proceeds of the rights issue will be used to support ongoing working capital needs, including organic growth funding for the group’s banking and other non-banking subsidiaries

    Aig-Imokhuede explained that having announced to embark on a capital raising through Right Issue, he was confident that the group’s shareholders would support the bank in the journey.

    He stated that Access Holdings had p0a unique relationship with the capital market in Nigeria and internationally.

    “It is not the first time CBN is coming up with such policy.

    “Recall that in 2004 when CBN announced that all banks must recapitalise to the tune of N25 billion and Access Bank had about N3 billion of capital.

    “Between 2004 and 2007, our team, when I was the CEO of the bank, raised two billion dollars of common equity capital.

    “Therefore, in 2024 when Access Holdings  is much older, wiser, stronger, larger and significantly respected by the capital market with over 800,000 shareholders, raising 300 million dollars in capital for Access Bank, its banking subsidiary is not really much of a challenge.

    “We signalled to the market first that we will be doing a Right Issue, which means that we must carry everybody along, in spite of our large institutional shareholders.

    “Nonetheless, we believe in ensuring that shareholders, either large or small, continue with us on our journey.

    “They have always supported us when need be with good reasons, because they believe in the company and the performance that would be delivered subsequently to such capital raising exercise.

    “What is on the mind of our shareholders now is recapitalisation and they are also concerned about how their company continues to deliver returns,” he said.

    Commenting on the CBN recapilisation policy, the chairman noted that Access Bank as a group endorses the CBN policy wholeheartedly.

    Aig-Imokhuede described the policy as a good and sensible prudential regulation.

    He added that banks, particularly after period of significant devaluation of domestic currency, volatility in the foreign exchange, and interest rate regime, are always encouraged to build up their capital buffer.

    According to him, this is to ensure that whatever adverse effect that may arise as a result of the dynamic changes in the business environment would not affect their very concern.

    In terms of performance and expectations from Access Holdings going forward, Aig-Imokhuede stated that the earning profile of the group, which spread across Nigeria, Africa and outside Africa subsidiaries, is very robust.

    He said: “As an investor, you always look to see whether there is deep concentration where the profit is coming from; in our case, these arears are spread across three core areas that is of significant interest to local and international investors.

    “If you look at the performance of banks in the year ended 2023 financial reports, you will see that all banks in naira terms have increased significantly their profitability as a result of the devaluation.

    “But that isn’t the case with Access Bank, whose revaluation benefits come from the fact that it has significant international operations, because it is not a function of holding large foreign currency balances.

    According to him, Access Bank, United Kingdom for example, is the largest and probably highest performing Sub-saharan African bank that has a license in the UK and making hundred of millions of naira of profit from the UK.

    The chairman further said that this is not an accounting benefit that comes in the year 2023, but will continue, and with the operations of the bank in France, and across other European, Asia and Middle Eastern jurisdiction.

    “We can see that the foreign currency benefit of profit in those locations are going to also accrued to the holding.

    “The holding as an investor is also thinking of retail banking, which is like a utility. A retail banking with about 60 million customers is enough to sustain the bank anytime, irrespective of how volatile or uncertain the market is,” he said.

    Access Holdings full-year results for the period ended Dec. 31, 2023, showcased an impressive 335 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to N729 billion from N167.68 billion in 2022.

    The group also experienced an 87 per cent surge in gross earnings to N2.59 trillion from N1.39 trillion in 2022 and reported a remarkable 306 per cent growth in profit After Tax to N619.32 billion, from N152.20 billion posted in year 2022.

  • Wigwe: Ogunbanjo’s family drags charter company to court over helicopter

    Wigwe: Ogunbanjo’s family drags charter company to court over helicopter

    The family of the late former Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, who was killed in a Southern California helicopter crash in February filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, against the US helicopter company.

    The former Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Dr Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son were also onboard the ill-fated helicopter.

    The Ogunbanjo family stated that the flight should have been grounded because of treacherous weather.

    In February, Wigwe, his wife and his son died following a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, United States of America.

    Relatives of Ogunbanjo in the court filing on Wednesday claimed that the charter company, Orbic Air, improperly flew the helicopter despite a “wintry mix” of snowy and rainy conditions in the Mojave Desert where the crash occurred on Feb. 9, the Press Enterprise reports.

    One of the attorneys who filed the lawsuit, Andrew C. Robb, noted Ogunbanjo’s family is seeking “answers and accountability.

    “Helicopters do not do very well in snow and ice,” Robb told The Associated Press.