Court grants CBN order to freeze accounts of individuals linked to EndSARS protests
The Federal high court sitting in Abuja has granted the Central Bank of Nigeria’s request to freeze the accounts of 19 individuals and a public affairs company linked to the #EndSARS protests.
The request, granted by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, was filed by the CBN on October 20.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020 listed those affected by the order to include Bolatito Oduala, Chima Ibebunjoh, Mary Kpengwa, Gatefield Nigeria Limited, Saadat Bibi, Bassey Israel, Wisdom Obi, Nicholas Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Yusuf, Uhuo Promise, Mosopefoluwa Odeseye , Adegoke Emmanuel Umoh Ekanem, Babatunde Segun, Mulu Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Jacob, Victor Solomon, and Idunu Williams.
“A mandatory order is made empowering the plaintiff/applicant to direct the head office of Access Bank of Nigeria Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Zenith Bank Plc to freeze forthwith all transactions on the 20 bank accounts listed for a period of 90 days pending the outcome of investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“It is, however, directed that the 90-day freezing order, when it lapses, may be renewed upon good cause shown by the applicant.
“It is also directed that any person, whether artificial or natural, that is affected by this order may apply to the court to have his grievance or complaint heard by the court. The suit is adjourned till February 4, 2021, the order reads
Justice A.R Mohammed ordered that the accounts should be frozen for the next 90 days subject to renewal. The judge did not order that the defendants be served with any court process thereby leaving them unaware of the restriction of their accounts.
This comes after Modupe Odele’s passport was seized on her way to the Maldives for her birthday.
This is very bad.. protests is part of our fundamental rights now… Why freezing account of innocent civilians just because they participate in protest against what they didn’t wants…
OMG! Nigeria with all sorts of impunity which doesn’t occur in other countries of the world. This is nonsense.
This is so ridiculous, without invitation or anything, the court just ordered the frozen account of leading end SARS on what ground.
We are not in military regime and the government is doing anyhow they feel like, this is unfair treatment meted out to the citizens. Nawa ooo
No problem, those people should also approach the court if law to unfreezing their accounts, before the stipulated time for hearing in the court of law.
Imagine! What a country. Is CBN work for those people that want to freeze there account. Person with him money for this country no go enjoy again. Am tired of this country
Like seriously I’m ashamed of Nigerian, I also regret I am from this country. I can not proud of my country anymore because my country has ashamed of it self already, what type of leadership are we using in this country…I’m so tired of everything in Nigeria.
Nawaoooo we no get free for anything in Nigeria again…may Lord help us o
You see? Why trying to punish people who protested for somthing important, after shooting them. This country na wa
This government does not want to back down, they want more problems and from the way they are going, I don’t see them even trying to solve the problems the masses are complaining of at all
what is really going on in this country so they want to silent us all
Our courts has become just rubber stamps to our politicians, ordering this and that all in favour of our politicians what a shame.
Does it mean that our right to peaceful protest is no more…quite unfair.