THE Central Bank of Nigeria has asked Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a Federal High Court in Abuja not to unfreeze the accounts of #EndSARS campaigners because they are still under probe for terrorism financing.

The CBN said this in a counter-affidavit in opposition to a motion on notice filed by Gatefield Nigeria Limited, a company that sponsored freelance journalists to cover the #EndSARS protests in October.

The apex bank had through an ex parte order frozen the account of Gatefield Nigeria Limited and 19 other persons who played a role in the protests.

However, Gatefield opposed the CBN’s action in court, insisting that the act was illegal because the apex bank had frozen the accounts even before the court order to do so was obtained.

In a counter-affidavit filed by a lawyer, A.J. Apera, on behalf of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, the apex bank stated that it duly obtained a court order on November 4, 2020 to freeze the accounts.

The CBN, however, made no mention of #EndSARS in the court papers but only told the court that all those whose accounts were frozen were under probe for suspected terrorism.


The affidavit read in part, “That the bank accounts frozen by this honourable court in this case are suspected to be involved in transactions bordering on terrorism financing and that the said accounts are being investigated by the Central Bank of Nigeria in that regard.”

The apex bank said it did not need to inform the #EndSARS campaigners about the freezing of their accounts because of the nature of the investigation which is terrorism-related.

It added, “That the allegations involving the defendants’ accounts being investigated by the Central Bank of Nigeria border on terrorism and that there was an extreme urgency warranting the grant of the ex parte order in this suit.”


The apex court said it had the legal right to investigate the defendants because it had to do with financing and funds being stored in financial institutions.


The CBN said it would forward its findings to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit for further investigation.

The affidavit further read, “That it will be in the best interest of justice that the instant application be dismissed as the investigations being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria in respect of the defendants’ frozen accounts have not been concluded.”

The Parliament of the United Kingdom had last week criticised the Federal Government for freezing the accounts of #EndSARS campaigners under the guise of probing terrorist financing.

The accounts have been frozen for 40 days while none of the accused has been invited for questioning.

helinues:


Next time they would think twice before playing the role of enemy of the nation...

ngadaAwo:
[s][/s]
shatap helinues

people that rejoice in the misfortune of others shall never be free from misfortune

helinues:


Who is this?

Pls do I know you?

bayelsaowei:
Why are the begging the courts? They rather should provide concrete evidence as to why they had to block the accounts in the first place. Infact I expect CBN to be paying huge fines for blocking those accounts once the court hearings are over.Nonsense! Have they blocked all the accounts of the folks providing support to bokoharam?

Islie:







https://punchng.com/terrorism-dont-unfreeze-endsars-campaigners-accounts-cbn-begs-court/



Lalasticlala

helinues:


Next time they would think twice before playing the role of enemy of the nation...

bencr7:
is u that is d bigger enemy of this nation,becuz u want d country to continue hving bad government and again u are a disgrace to ur self

helinues:


Lover of Nigeria, go and start new protest today and come and update us later.

Hian

helinues:


Lover of Nigeria, go and start new protest today and come and update us later.

Hian

Yenefer:
Like seriously who those that. They're terrorist
That the bank accounts frozen by this honourable court in this case are suspected to be involved in transactions bordering on terrorism financing and that the said accounts are being investigated by the Central Bank of Nigeria in that regard.” DSS should arrest the stupid judge. He is probably from the East supporting his fellow terrorist

helinues:


Next time they would think twice before playing the role of enemy of the nation...