The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) obtained the controversial court order authorising the freezing of bank accounts of 20 #EndSARS promoters by accusing them of suspected terrorism financing, court documents show.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the order following a motion ex-parte moved by the CBN in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020.
However, the apex bank did not mention that the account holders were #EndSARS promoters in its suit filed on October 20.
“My lord, the nature of the transactions undertaken through the defendants’ accounts are of suspected terrorism financing in contravention of Section 13(1)(a)and(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention)(Amendment) Act, 2013 and Regulation 31(2)(a)and (3)(b) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism Regulations, 2013,” the applicant’s written address filed in support of its motion read in part.
According to a supporting affidavit filed before the court, the apex court stated that Head of the Economic Intelligence Unit of the Governor’s Department of CBN, Joseph Omayuku conducted an investigation into the banks of the defendants in some commercial banks and found that the account holders may have been involved in terrorism financing.
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The CBN told the court that freezing of the accounts was necessary to ensure the monies in them remained intact until the conclusion of investigations.
The affidavit deposed to by one Aondowase Jacob read in part, “There is a grave allegation that the defendants are involved in suspected terrorism financing via their bank accounts in contravention of the provisions of extant laws and regulations. The aforesaid transactions undertaken by the defendants, using their bank accounts, can cause significant economic and security harm to the public and the Federal Republic of Nigeria if left unchecked.
“The applicant (CBN governor) is thus desirous to have the court empower him to direct the freezing of the 20 accounts listed on the annexure to this application and all other bank accounts held by the defendants.
“A freezing order of this honourable court in respect of the defendants’ accounts would also enable the investigation of the activities of the defendants to a logical conclusion with a view to reporting same to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.”
Court papers showed that the affected accounts held in Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Fidelity Bank, United Bank for Africa and Zenith Bank.
They were frozen after receiving in-flows with the narration #EndSARS.