A frontline rights group has started mobilising for the boycotting of Access bank even as it vowed to close down its accounts with the bank today.

The Abuja-based Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is angry that the bank sacked hundreds of workers only to spend about N200 million to bring in an American Singer, Mariah Carey, to perform at its Christmas concert.

“Today we served Access Bank notice that we will on Monday severe all business relationship with them by closing down our accounts,” HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, wrote on his Facebook wall on Friday. “As a struggling NGO we have very insignificant transactions with Access Bank but we appeal to good spirited Nigerians to pull out their savings because of the inhumane action of sacking 200 staff and at the same time coughing out N200 million to hire foreign musician recently,” Onwubiko added.

The post elicited largely positive responses, with several respondents hailing HURIWA for the decision and some indicating that they would close their accounts with Access Bank over the issue.

“Now I see a future in my people,” wrote Chudi Ugwu.

On his part, Femi Ajala wrote: “That is the way to go my brother, action rather than mere words.”

News Express sought to get the reaction of Access Bank but the Corporate Affairs Manager, Segun Fafore, did not respond to text messages sent to his phones on Saturday.

•Photo shows Access Bank’s outgoing Group Managing Director, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.