The Central Bank of Nigeria has obtained a court order freezing the accounts of 20 # EndSARS promoters till January 2021 .
The order was pursuant to a motion ex parte filed by the CBN before a Federal High Court.
The certified true copy of the order obtained by an online medium , Peoples Gazette , showed that the CBN applied for the restriction of the 20 accounts on October 20 which was several days after it had already ordered commercial banks to freeze the accounts .
The suit marked FHC/ ABJ / CS / 1384 / 2020 listed the 20 defendants as – Bolatito Oduala , Chima Ibebunjoh, Mary Kpengwa , Gatefield Nigeria Limited , Saadat Bibi, Bassey Israel, Wisdom Obi , Nicholas Osazele , Ebere Idibie , Akintomide Yusuf, Uhuo Promise , Mosopefoluwa Odeseye and Adegoke Emmanuel .
Others include Umoh Ekanem , Babatunde Segun , Mulu Teghenan , Mary Oshifowora , Winifred Jacob , Victor Solomon , and Idunu Williams.
The banks where the accounts are domiciled include Access Bank , Guaranty Trust Bank , Fidelity Bank , First Bank , United Bank for Africa , and Zenith Bank .
The lawyers representing the CBN were led by a former Attorney -General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa ( SAN ) .
Justice A .R Mohammed ordered that the accounts should be frozen for the next 90 days subject to renewal .
It is hereby ordered as follows, “ A mandatory order is made empowering the plaintiff / applicant to direct the head office of Access Bank of Nigeria Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc , First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc , United Bank for Africa Plc and Zenith Bank Plc to freeze forthwith all transactions on the 20 bank accounts listed for a period of 90 days pending the outcome of investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria .
“ It is , however, directed that the 90 -day freezing order , when it lapses , may be renewed upon good cause shown by the applicant .
“ It is also directed that any person , whether artificial or natural , that is affected by this order may apply to the court to have his grievance or complaint heard by the court . The suit is adjourned till February 4 , 2021 . ”
It was , however, observed that the judge did not order that the defendants be served with any court process thereby leaving them unaware of the restriction of their accounts .
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