Nigeria’s apex bank gets court order to freeze bank accounts of #ENDSARS sponsors
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has secured an order of a Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze accounts of 20 #ENDSARS promoters.
The order followed an ex-parte order filed by the regulatory bank through a team of lawyers led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN).
The order was pertaining to the accounts domiciled in various commercial banks and was made on October 20, some days after the CBN had already directed banks to move against the alleged EndSARS promoters.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, the CBN was granted leave to freeze all the accounts till January 2021.
The 20 alleged #EndSARS promoters that were listed as Defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020, are; 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.
Also included in the order are Umoh Ekanem, Babatunde Segun, Mulu Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Jacob, Victor Solomon, and Idunu Williams.
The court ordered that their accounts should be frozen for an initial period of 90 days that will be subject to renewal upon an application by the CBN.
“A mandatory order is made empowering the plaintiff/applicant to direct the head office of the banks involved 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 court ruling showed.
