A disturbing scandal has rocked Access Bank’s contact centre in Oniru, Lagos, after a former staff member, Stephen Ifeanyichukwu Ejezie, was caught secretly recording his colleagues in the restroom. Ejezie, who worked as a quality assurance specialist, was found with more than 400 explicit videos of unsuspecting staff members, both male and female, raising serious concerns about workplace safety and employee rights.
Ejezie’s shocking activities came to light around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, when a female staff member noticed a hidden camera while taking a bath in the ladies’ restroom. According to sources at the scene, the discovery was purely accidental.
“The lady noticed a phone peeking out from the toilet cubicle next to the bathroom,” an insider told FIJ. “She saw that someone had closed the water closet lid and was recording. That’s when she screamed for help.”
Workers rushed to the scene and demanded that whoever was hiding behind the door reveal themselves. To their shock, it was Ejezie who stepped out. He reportedly claimed he had “mistakenly” entered the female restroom but failed to explain the presence of the recording device.
Access Bank’s management immediately ordered his arrest. Upon searching his house the following day, police found over 400 different nude videos stored on his laptop and other devices. Many of the videos showed staff members bathing or undressing, recorded without their knowledge.
Investigations later revealed that Ejezie had been secretly recording his colleagues for months, taking advantage of the bank’s shift work system where employees often sleep at the office and use the facilities to freshen up.
“Ejezie usually sneaked into the female restroom to set up recording devices,” another insider said. “The men’s restroom is not even close to the women’s, so it wasn’t a mistake.”
Exploiting Innocence: The OnlyFans and Telegram Angle
Further probing revealed a more sinister motive: Ejezie had allegedly been selling the explicit videos online. Sources said he operated an OnlyFans account and sold the recordings on Telegram, primarily to audiences in India and other foreign countries.
“He wasn’t just keeping the videos for himself,” a source disclosed. “He made money off them by selling to white people and Indians. That’s where it gets even scarier.”
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Ejezie was reportedly released from police custody shortly after his initial arrest, leaving many victims fearful that they may never get justice.
Shock and Betrayal Among Colleagues
Those who worked closely with Ejezie described him as the last person they would have suspected of such heinous acts.
“Stephen was very quiet and kind. He was an exceptional agent. No one could have imagined he was capable of something like this,” a former colleague said.
Yet behind the composed facade, Ejezie was allegedly running a secret criminal operation that has now left many traumatized.
Staff Express Fears and Distrust Toward Management
The aftermath has been one of confusion, fear, and mistrust among the staff at Access Bank’s contact centre. Many of the victims expressed concerns about the potential leak of their nude videos online, and frustration over what they perceive as the bank’s slow and muted response.
“What happens to us if the videos he has already sold surface online?” one distraught staff member asked.
A meeting was convened by management on Friday morning to address the situation, but sources say it did little to allay growing fears.
“They banned sleeping over at the office completely,” an insider said. “They warned us that if anything like this happens again, the culprit could face years in prison. But it feels like they are just trying to protect the company’s reputation rather than help us.”
Many workers believe that, as contract staff, their rights and concerns are being overlooked.
“We are just contract staff. We are easily disposable,” one staffer said. “Some people don’t even know if they were recorded. The fear alone is driving people into depression.”
There are growing calls for the management to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, inform all potential victims, and provide emotional and legal support for those affected.
“People have the right to know if they were filmed,” another worker said. “Imagine pursuing a political career years down the line and then a nude video surfaces. What can you do at that point? Nothing.”
The sentiment across the contact centre is one of betrayal and helplessness, with no formal counseling or support services provided to affected workers. Staff members are also concerned that the company’s reaction might deter others from reporting similar incidents in the future.
“Many are traumatised already,” a source said. “And it feels like the bank is more concerned about their brand than about helping us heal.”
Calls for Legal Action and Support Measures
Legal experts familiar with the case have weighed in, urging affected individuals to seek redress through appropriate legal channels. According to them, unauthorized recording and distribution of private videos without consent is a serious violation of privacy rights under Nigerian law, punishable by imprisonment.
A human rights lawyer, who requested anonymity, stated:
“The victims have a strong case if they pursue it. Beyond criminal charges, there are grounds for civil suits against both Ejezie and potentially the institution, if it can be shown that negligence contributed to the breach.”
Despite this, many staff members are reluctant to come forward, fearing retaliation, job loss, or stigmatization.
“We are scared,” another staff member shared. “We don’t even know if going public will make things worse for us. Some people are even considering resigning quietly just to avoid shame.”
Psychologists warn that incidents of voyeurism like this can cause long-term emotional damage, especially when victims are not offered adequate support.
“Victims may suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and severe trust issues,” Dr. Nnenna Agu, a clinical psychologist, explained. “Without counseling and a clear sense of justice, recovery becomes extremely difficult.”
Access Bank’s Reputation at Stake
As Access Bank continues to position itself as a leading financial institution in Africa, the way it handles internal scandals like this will be closely watched.
Recently, the bank celebrated smashing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N500 billion capital target and completing key acquisitions in Angola and Sierra Leone. However, internal crises such as Ejezie’s case highlight potential gaps in employee oversight and workplace security protocols.
For now, the affected staff members hope for justice, transparency, and a genuine commitment from the management to prioritize their welfare over corporate image.
“This could ruin people’s lives forever,” a worker said. “We deserve better.”
