Ebun Olowu
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been granted his request by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to freeze the accounts of 19 individuals and a public affairs company linked to the #EndSARS protests.
The individuals are accused of using the accounts to support the coverage of the protests against Police brutality in Nigeria.
The request, which was granted by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, was filled on October 20, 2020.
The Court granted a mandatory order empowering the Plaintiff/Applicant, Governor, CBN, to direct the Head Office of Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank of Africa, and Zenith Bank to freeze forthwith all transactions on the 20 bank accounts listed hereunder and other banks of the defendants/respondents for a period of 90-days pending the outcome of investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the CBN.
The presiding judge also granted an order 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.
The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020, listed as defendants/respondents: Bolatoto Racheal Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Gatefield Nigeria Limited, Saadat Temitope Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyo Promise, and Mosopefoluwa Odeseye.
Others are: Adegoke Pemilerin Emmanuel, Umoh Grace Ekanem, Babatunde Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon, Idunu A. Williams.
Reacting to this order, Nigerians have taken to the social media to condemn this action by the Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele.
Some of the comments on Twitter:
“For over 15yrs, the CBN couldn’t identify & freeze bank accounts of the sponsors of Boko Haram. In less than two weeks, CBN Gov, Godwin Emefiele had identified #EndSARS protesters & frozen their bank accounts. And y’all think God won’t punish them for their atrocities?”
“POLITICIANS OVER TIME EMBEZZLE PUBLIC FUNDS,WITH EVIDENCE TO PROVE…YOUNG PEOPLE PROTESTED AND SAID #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria but their accounts are frozen by CBN’s Godwin emefiele ,with no corruption related act, financial crime allegation,or default ..Pray for Nigeria”.
“Godwin Emefiele can’t find the account of Bokoharam sponsors, he can’t even restrict the accounts of polithiefians but he’s fast to restrict the accounts of innocent citizens. Why? Because they protested and asked for a reformation of the police”.
“The very worst. How can you freeze the account of endsars supporters and sponsors. Is that a major problem in the country where crime, corruption from our leaders is the order of the day. You can’t freeze the account of boko haram sponsors. You are a disgrace Godwin emefiele”.
“To suspend their account,it shows that your getting into office was not by merit,but by political agenda “Godwin Emefiele” one day one of your child might get killed by police officer or anybody i will then know how u will handle it Good morning #EndSARS”
“The action of Mr Godwin Emefiele of blocking the account of #EndSARS protesters is emblematic of a govt that doesn’t like criticism and that victimises its citizens. It is unfortunate that the CBN has been turned into a political tool for APC”.
“This is just the tip of an iceberg what the govt is going to do. They will so frustrate all the key protesters in order to send fear into the spine of others and in the future when you think of protest, you fear. Godwin Emefiele the writings are clear #ENDBADGOVERNANCE #EndSARS”
“Godwin Emefiele is not the only one involved in this idiocy, what of the court that gave the Order, what about the commercial banks that carried it out? These people are not criminals or “freedom fighters” Ékusè o.”
“Godwin Emefiele the worst u can do is to suspend bank accounts but you can not stop a protest or close our mouth,after all who bank help.. all i know is Nigeria must grow by fire by force we can not keep living in a country full of stupid and shameless leaders #EndSARS”.
Senator Shehu Sani: “Freezing the accounts of #EndSARS protesters, seizing their passports and arresting them is a betrayal of the Government pledge to dialogue; and unhelpful to the cause of peace in the country” .
