The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) filed an application Ex parte before the Federal High Court to freeze the accounts of 20 #EndSARS Protesters and Promoter for an alleged case of terrorism being investigated against them.
The Motion which was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer was brought pursuant to Sections 57 & 60(B) of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act(BOFIA), Section 13(1)(a) & (b) of Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013, Regulation 31 (2)(a) & (b) of the CBN Anti Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism, 2013 and Order 26 Rule 5(2) of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2019.
Meanwhile, the CBN stated that there “is an on-going investigation”, being conducted “into the activities of the Defendants/Respondents who are alleged to be involved in suspected terrorism financing via their bank accounts”.
In addition CBN urged that the order to freeze the accounts is essential pending the outcome of the investigation in order “to prevent further acts of economic and security sabotage against the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, adding that it will “enable the CBN to pursue its investigation to a logical conclusion with a view to reporting same to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit”.
In addition, in the Affidavit deposed to by Aondowanse Jacob Apera, Esq, he stated that the transactions being undertaken in their accounts “can cause significant economic and security harm to the public and the Federal Republic of Nigeria if left unchecked”.
Some of the affected individuals include Bolatito Racheal Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Saadat Temitope Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi Promise and Mosopefoluwa Odeseye.
Others are: Adegoke Pamilerin Yusif. Umoh Grace Ekanem, Babatunde Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon, Idunu A. Williams, and Gatefield Nigeria Limited. TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that the Federal High Court presided over by Hon. Justice A.R Mohammed vide an order dated 5th day of November, 2020 granted the prayers of the CBN and caused their accounts to be frozen.
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