The Federal Government become capable of freeze the accounts of 20 #EndSARS campaigners after telling a Federal High Court in Abuja that the finances of their accounts might have been linked to terrorist activities.
This is consistent with a written deal with in help of a motion ex parte filed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The CBN had inside the 2d week of October frozen 20 money owed and thereafter approached the court to are looking for an ex parte order to freeze the bills.
In the case with suit wide variety FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020, filed before Justice A. R. Mohammed, the CBN, however, made no mention of the truth that the 20 money owed have been owned with the aid of individuals worried in the #EndSARS protests, however told the court that the price range might have emanated from terrorist sports.
The written cope with study in component, “My lord, the character of the transactions undertaken via the defendants’ bills 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.”
In a supporting affidavit deposed to by using one Aondowase Jacob on behalf of the CBN, it became stated that the Head of the Economic Intelligence Unit of the Governor’s Department, CBN, Joseph Omayuku, had conducted an research on the accounts of the defendants and different people and entities held with positive banks in Nigeria.
According to the affidavit, the research confirmed that the proprietors of the debts might also had been involved in terrorist sports.
It brought, “There is a grave allegation that the defendants are worried in suspected terrorism financing via their bank debts in contravention of the provisions of extant laws and rules. The aforesaid transactions undertaken by means of the defendants, the use of their bank debts, can motive good sized monetary and safety harm to the general public and the Federal Republic of Nigeria if left unchecked.
“The applicant (CBN governor) is therefore desirous to have the court docket empower him to direct the freezing of the 20 accounts listed on the annexure to this software and all different financial institution accounts held via the defendants.
“A freezing order of this honourable court in respect of the defendants’ accounts might additionally allow the investigation of the activities of the defendants to a logical conclusion with a view to reporting equal to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.”
The apex bank stated except the order became granted, it'd not be capable of make sure that the money remained intact, at the same time as investigations had been ongoing.
The 20 money owed frozen through the CBN are domiciled in Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Fidelity Bank, United Bank for Africa and Zenith Bank.
The money owed had been stated to have been flagged after they acquired money with the narration #EndSARS.
One of the frozen money owed, marked 0056412470 and domiciled in Access Bank, belongs to Bolatito Olorunrinu Oduala, an #EndSARS campaigner, who became appointed into the Lagos State judicial panel set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Another frozen account marked 0033974485 and domiciled in Access Bank belongs to Bassey Israel, the clinical group coordinator for the #EndSARS protests in Port Harcourt.
Similarly, an account marked 0054676984 domiciled in Access Bank belongs to Gatefield Nigeria Limited, which paid freelance reporters to cowl the protests.
Justice Mohammed iced up the bills for 180 days situation to renewal, but stated anybody who become now not happy with the ruling turned into unfastened to challenge it.
Freezing protesters’ money owed illegal – Yesufu
A main member of the #EndSARS protesters, Aisha Yesufu, described the freezing of the #EndSARS protesters’ accounts as illegal, noting that the government “is behaving like a terrorist.”
She wondered the freezing of the money owed ahead of the court injunction ordering the banks to dam the debts.
Yesufu said, “The query is, why did they freeze the debts earlier than obtaining a court docket injunction? Why the illegality? Our judiciary need to realize that it's far an unbiased arm of government and there's separation of strength.
“The government must be embarrassed about itself. The United Arab Emirates simply convicted a few Nigerians, who have been accused of terrorism, and we are hearing that the authorities could attraction on their behalf. That is in which the trouble is.”
The activist accused the Federal Government of pampering insurgents, even as bearing down on peaceful and harmless protesters.
She added, “#EndSARS campaigners are protesters and that they protested the way the Constitution lets in, so most of these are shenanigans. They had better consciousness on the terrorists.
“Bandits are laying down their arms and they're taking them to Government Houses, while Boko Haram contributors are being given preferential treatment, however Nigerians, who had been protesting, have been being killed by way of the authorities. The government is the only behaving like a terrorist proper now.”
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