The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been ordered by Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a Federal High Court, Abuja to immediately unfreeze 20 bank accounts of #EndSARS promoters.
Justice Mohammed gave the order following the withdrawal of the suit by the counsel to the CBN, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN). The directive, which was for 180 days, was to allow the CBN to investigate the defendants of the alleged crime.
Since the 180 days recently elapsed and Aondoakaa had previously filed for an extension of the order, it was expected that this case will be heard.
However, the CBN made a u-turn and decided to withdraw the application for extension of time and this also prompted the counsel for the defendants, Femi Falana (SAN) to withdraw all suit filed against the CBN’s suit.
Recall that the CBN had filed an ex parte application on October 20, 2020 asking the court to freeze the accounts of the respondents which was granted by Justice Ahmed Mohammed.
The court order was addressed to the head offices of Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank of Africa, and Zenith Bank.
The order asked the banks to freeze forthwith all transactions on the underlisted 20 bank accounts on the list annexed to the application as EXHIBIT A and all other Bank accounts of the Defendants/Respondents for a period of 180 days pending the outcome of investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the CBN.
