By Erewunmi Peace

A mild boardroom storm appears to be brewing within Access Holdings Plc, the parent company of Access Bank Plc, as a group of minority shareholders — reportedly including a cousin of the late Herbert Wigwe, former Group Chief Executive Officer — have demanded the removal of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede as Chairman of the Board.

According to reports from Forefront NG and National Waves, the concerned shareholders sent a petition to the company’s board and relevant financial regulators, alleging breaches of corporate governance, conflict of interest, and undue interference in matters related to the late Wigwe’s estate. They are also calling for the suspension of Paul Usoro, SAN, the current Chairman of Access Bank, pending a full investigation into the allegations.

Sources close to the development claim that the dispute stems from disagreements over the management of shares and interests belonging to the late Wigwe’s family. The minority shareholders argue that Aig-Imoukhuede’s continued role as Chairman could compromise the transparency of ongoing corporate decisions involving the late banker’s legacy.

In earlier reports, Wigwe’s family had accused Aig-Imoukhuede of “undue interference” in their affairs and estate management following Wigwe’s tragic death in February 2024. While the family’s statement did not directly reference Access Holdings, it hinted at strained relations between the two once-close associates who co-founded the modern Access Bank empire.

As of press time, neither Access Holdings Plc nor Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede has issued an official statement regarding the current allegations. The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) has also not published any formal notice indicating a leadership change at the holding company.

Industry watchers suggest that the issue may soon attract regulatory scrutiny, given its potential implications for corporate governance and investor confidence in one of Nigeria’s largest financial institutions.

For now, the situation remains fluid, with stakeholders awaiting official clarification from Access Holdings’ management in the coming days.