A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the freezing of 32 bank accounts allegedly connected to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria. This ruling was issued on Thursday by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The court’s decision, granted in response to an ex-parte motion by Ibrahim Mohammed, Counsel to the Inspector-General of Police, aims to curb what authorities claim are illegal activities linked to the protests. The motion asserts that these accounts were used to facilitate terrorism financing, treason, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
Justice Nwite’s order includes placing a Post-No-Debit (PND) restriction on the accounts, which prevents any withdrawals or transfers. The banks have been directed to disable ATM services for these accounts while still allowing deposits. This measure is intended to protect the ongoing investigation and potential prosecution of those involved.
“The banks are hereby directed by this honorable court to issue details of the account packages and to place a Post-No-Debit (PND) on the accounts,” Justice Nwite said in his ruling. “This will help prevent the suspects from moving any funds that could hinder our investigation.”
The accounts frozen under this order belong to a range of individuals and organizations. Among them are PA.LIN.HO Global Service Ltd, Innocent Angel Lovet Chinyere Nkiru, Obidient Movement Multipurpose Cooperative Society, and Great Communicators Champion Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd. The complete list includes various banks such as Fidelity Bank, Access Bank, UBA, and several microfinance institutions.
Detective Gregory Woji, who supported the motion, revealed that early investigations indicated some suspects were allegedly recruited by financiers to incite violence and damage property. Woji’s affidavit also suggested involvement from foreign nationals in these activities.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that some of the suspects arrested were being recruited by financiers to cause mayhem and destroy lives and property,” Woji stated. “It is in the interest of justice to grant this request by freezing the accounts of the suspects and ordering their immediate arrest upon sighting them.”
“The freezing of accounts is a serious action that affects people’s financial lives and businesses,” said legal analyst Chinedu Obi. “It’s important that this is done transparently and with clear evidence to ensure it doesn’t infringe on people’s rights unfairly.”
