#EndSARS: Court grants CBN request to freeze 20 accounts
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted request of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to freeze accounts of some 19 individuals and a firm linked with the #EndSARS protests.
The order which was granted on November 5, 2020 by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, was pursuant to a motion ex parte filed by the CBN.
The certified true copy of the order sighted by Gentechnews indicated that the CBN applied for the restriction of the 20 accounts on October 20 which was several days after it had already ordered commercial banks to freeze the accounts.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020 listed the 20 defendants as – 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 and Adegoke Emmanuel, Umoh Ekanem, Babatunde Segun, Mulu Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Jacob, Victor Solomon, and Idunu Williams.
The Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, United Bank for Africa, and Zenith Bank are the banks where the accounts are domiciled.
The lawyers representing the CBN were led by Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), former attorney-general of the Federation.
Justice Mohammed ordered that the accounts should be frozen for the next 90 days subject to renewal.
It is hereby ordered as follows, “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.
Recalled, Gatefield Nigeria Limited had earlier sued a new generation bank for allegedly blocking an account used to promote media coverage of the #EndSARS protests.
