A written address in support of a motion ex parte filed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, has revealed that the apex bank was able to obtain a court order which enabled it to freeze the accounts of 20 #EndSARS frontliners by alleging that their accounts might have been linked to terrorist activities.
Punch reported that in the case with suit number
FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020 filed before Justice A. R. Mohammed, the CBN made no
mention of the fact that the 20 accounts were owned by persons involved in the
#EndSARS protests, but instead told the court that the funds might have
emanated from terrorist activities.
The written address read in part;
“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.”
In a supporting affidavit deposed to by one Aondowase Jacob
on behalf of the CBN, it was stated that the Head of the Economic Intelligence
Unit of the Governor’s Department, CBN, Joseph Omayuku, had conducted an
investigation on the accounts of the defendants and other individuals and
entities held with certain banks in Nigeria. It was alleged that the
investigation showed that the owners of the accounts may have been involved in
terrorist activities.
The affidavit added;
“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.”
The apex bank further stated that unless the order was
granted, it would not be able to ensure that the money remained intact, while
investigations were ongoing. The 20 accounts frozen by the CBN are domiciled in
Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Fidelity Bank, United Bank for Africa and
Zenith Bank.
Recall that it was reported earlier that the accounts were
flagged after they received money with the narration #EndSARS.
Justice Mohammed froze the accounts for 180 days subject to
renewal, but said anyone who was not satisfied with the ruling was free to
challenge it.
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