CBN gets court order to freeze accounts of #EndSARS promoters till January









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 and Adegoke Emmanuel.

 

Others include Umoh Ekanem, Babatunde Segun, Mulu Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Jacob, Victor Solomon, and Idunu Williams.

 

The order reads

Quote:“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.”

 

According to the court paper, the lawyers representing the CBN were led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN).

 

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.

 

Recall that one of the promoters of the protest, Modupe Odele, had her passport seized while on her way to the Maldives for her birthday.

 

IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA IN THE ABUJA JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT ABUJA

SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020

BETWEEN: GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT AND

1. BOLATITO RACHAEL ODUALA
2. CHIMA DAVID IBEBUNJOH
3. MARY DOOSE KPENGWA
4. GATEFIELD NIGERIA LIMITED
5. SAADAT TEMITOPE BIBI
6. BASSEY VICTOR ISRAEL
7. WISDOM BUSAOSOWO OBI
8. NICHOLAS IKHALEA OSAZELE
9. EBERE IDIBIE
10. AKINTOMIDE LANRE YUSUF
11. UHUO EZENWANYI PROMISE
12. MOSOPEFOLUWA ODESEYE
13. ADEGOKE PAMILERIN EMMANUEL
14. UMOH GRACE EKANEM
15. BABATUNDE VICTOR SEGUN
16. MULU LOUIS TEGHENAN
17. MARY OSHIFOWORA
18. WINIFRED AKPEVWEOGHENE JACOB
19. VICTOR SOLOMON
20. IDUNU A. WILLIAMS

ORDER
DEFENDANTS! RESPONDENTS

• UPON THE MOTION EXPARTE dated and filed on the 20th day of October, 2020 praying this
Honourable Court for the followin OEFTIF1 U T. FEDE k. BIG A B U

FIDELITY BANK PLC Fidelity Place, 2 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos;

FIRST BANK NIGERIA PLC 35 Marina Road, Lagos Island, Lagos;

GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC 635 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos;

UNITED BANK OF AFRICA PLC, 57, Marina, Lagos Island, Lagos

ZENITH BANK PLC, Plot 84 Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos;

, to freeze forthwith all transactions on the 20 Bank Accounts listed hereunder and all other Bank accounts of the Defendants/ Respondents for a period of 90 days pending the outcome of investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN):-

S/N ACCOUNT NAME BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER

1. BOLATITO RACHEAL ODUALA ACCESS (DIAMOND) BANK 0056412470

2. CHIMA DAVID IBEBUNJOH ACCESS (DIAMOND) BANK 0018717339

3. MARY DOOSE KPENGWA ACCESS (DIAMOND) BANK 0095127429

4. GATEFIELD NIGERIA LIMITED ACCESS BANK 0054676984

5. SAADAT TEMITOPE BIBI ACCESS BANK 0056002465

6. BASSEY VICTOR ISREAL ACCESS BANK 0033974885

7. WISDOM BUSAOSOWO OBI ACCESS BANK 0104333444

8. NICHOLAS IKHALEA OSAZELE ACCESS BANK 0813778046

9. EBERE IDIBIE FIDELITY BANK 6170762033

10. AKINTOMIDE LANRE YUSUF FIRST BANK 3123089369

11. UHUO EZENWANYI PROMISE FIRST BANK 3058030072

12. MOSOPEFOLUWA ODESEYE GUARANTY TRUST,BMK 0120009843
:EFT1FIED RU FEDERAL GH C A 12 I 4

13. ADEGOKE PAMILERIN EMMANUEL GUARANTY TRUST BANK 0156947627

14. UMOH GRACE EKANEM GUARANTY TRUST BANK 0468223384

15. BABATUNDE VICTOR SEGUN UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA 2116708900

16. MULU LOUIS TEGHENAN UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA 2034189995

17. MARY OSH I FOWORA ZENITH BANK 2366811535

18. WINIFRED AKPEVWEOGHENE JACOB ZENITH BANK 2215386546

19. VICTOR SOLOMON ZENITH BANK 2210860478

20. IDUNNU A-WILLIAMS ZENTH BANK 2250970249