The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has obtained an ex-parte court order to freeze the accounts Of #EndSARS promoters until January 2021.
The motion ex-parte granting the order was was filed by CBN, represented by the former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoaka (SAN).
The certified True copy of the order is currently circulating the social media and showing that the application to freeze the accounts was applied for on the 20th of October, 2020.
The 20th of October has been described as Black Friday. It was also the day soldiers in military camouflage rained live bullets on unarmed #EndSARS protesters.
The application to freeze the accounts which was filed before a Federal High Court, also comes days after the CBN ordered commercial Banks to freeze the accounts.
The order is contained in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020 lists 20 #EndSARS promoters joined as defendants.
They 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
- Adejoke Emmanuel
- Umoh Ekanem
- Babatunde Segun
- Malu Teghenan
- Mary Oshifowora
- Winifred Jacob
- Victor Solomon
- Idunu Williams
The listed promoters’ accounts were domiciled in Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, UBA and Zenith Bank.
The order restrains the account owners access for 90 days pending investigations. It is also subject to renewal “upon good cause shown by the applicant.”
Excerpts of the suit:
“A mandatory order is made empowering the plaintiff/applicant to direct the head office of Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, United Bank for Africa and Zenith Bank 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 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 herd by the court. The suit is adjourned till February 4, 2021.”
It is also reported that one of the #EndSARS promoters Modupe Odele was prevented from leaving Nigeria by the Immigration Service. Her passport was withheld.
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