Yemi Solade Blasts GTBank Over N18,912 Deduction, Calls It “Independence Robbery

Nollywood actor Yemi Solade has publicly expressed his frustration with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) after an amount of N18,912 was deducted from his account as a service charge.

The actor raised the issue on Thursday, October 1, 2026, which marked Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day, after sharing details of the transaction with his followers on Instagram.

Solade questioned the reason behind the deduction, expressing surprise that almost N20,000 could be taken from his account under the description of a service charge. He said he did not understand what the charge represented or why such a significant amount had been deducted.

The veteran actor also pointed out that he had been banking with GTBank since 1995, making his relationship with the financial institution more than three decades old.

In a video shared on his Instagram page, Solade directly addressed the bank over the deduction and demanded an explanation.

According to the actor, the transaction was particularly troubling because he had not knowingly purchased any service that, in his view, appeared to justify a charge of almost N20,000.

He questioned the bank, asking what he had bought that would warrant such a deduction and why the amount was so high.

Solade said, “GTB, today, on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day, you deducted over N18,000 from my account in the name and disguise of a service charge, which I don’t understand.”

He went on to question the amount, saying he had maintained an account with the bank since 1995.

“N18,000, whole thousand! What did I buy from you? I’ve been with you since 1995. Almost N20,000, why?” the actor said.

Solade did not stop at questioning his personal transaction. He also called on other customers who may have experienced similar deductions to speak out and share their experiences.

The actor described the situation using strong words, referring to the deduction as “theft and oppression” and urging affected customers to join him in demanding answers from the bank.

His social media post quickly attracted attention, with several Nigerians reacting to the issue and discussing their own experiences with bank charges and deductions.

Solade also used the timing of the deduction to make a reference to Nigeria’s Independence Day. In the caption accompanying his post, he described the situation as an “independence robbery.”

The phrase immediately became a talking point among people reacting to the actor’s complaint, particularly because the transaction came around the country’s Independence Day celebration.

Some entertainers also joined the conversation in the comment section. Actress Fathia Balogun expressed frustration over banking charges, suggesting that the issue was not limited to one financial institution.

Her reaction added to a wider discussion among social media users about the various fees and deductions customers encounter when using commercial banks in Nigeria.

For many customers, bank deductions have become a recurring source of concern, particularly when charges appear unexpectedly or are not immediately understood. Customers often rely on transaction descriptions to identify the reason for deductions, but questions can arise when the amount charged appears significantly higher than expected.

Solade’s complaint has therefore generated broader conversations about transparency and communication between banks and their customers.

However, while the actor has described the deduction as unjustified, the available information does not independently establish that the charge was unauthorised or that GTBank violated any banking rule. The deduction remains an issue raised by Solade, pending an explanation from the bank.

As of the time of reporting, GTBank had not publicly responded to the actor’s complaint or provided an explanation for the specific N18,912 deduction.

The absence of an immediate response has left the circumstances surrounding the charge unclear, with attention now focused on whether the bank will clarify the nature of the service charge and why the amount was deducted from Solade’s account.

The controversy has also placed renewed attention on the importance of customers understanding the fees attached to their bank accounts and transactions.

Solade’s decision to make the complaint public has encouraged other social media users to recount their experiences, turning what began as an individual complaint into a broader conversation about banking charges in the country.

The actor has continued to urge customers who believe they have experienced similar deductions to speak up, while the public awaits any response from GTBank.

For now, the N18,912 deduction remains at the centre of the controversy, with Solade insisting that the bank should explain why almost N20,000 was taken from his account as a service charge.

His “Independence robbery” description has since become the most notable phrase associated with the dispute, adding an unusual twist to Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day celebrations and drawing significant attention to the veteran actor’s concerns about banking charges.