Court Freezes 32 Bank Accounts Linked to #EndBadGovernance Protest Pending Investigation

Court Freezes 32 Bank Accounts Linked to #EndBadGovernance Protest Pending Investigation

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the freezing of bank accounts belonging to 32 individuals and companies connected to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, granted the ex-parte motion filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Mohammed. The accounts will remain frozen pending further investigation and possible prosecution.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite directed the affected banks to halt all withdrawals or transactions involving the accounts but to allow inflows.

The banks were also instructed to apprehend any individuals attempting to access the accounts and immediately inform the Nigeria Police Force.

The ruling came after the police argued that the accounts were suspected of being used to fund criminal activities, including conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking. The police further claimed that the funds were being used to recruit individuals to cause unrest and undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty by promoting the illegal overthrow of the government.

Among the affected accounts were those belonging to PA.LIN.HO Global Service Ltd, Innocent Angel Lovet, and the Obidient Movement Multipurpose Cooperative Society, among others. Some of the account numbers frozen were linked to major banks such as UBA, Access Bank, GTBank, and Fidelity Bank.

The police investigation revealed that some foreign nationals were allegedly involved in financing these activities, with funds reportedly sent to recruit vulnerable individuals to participate in the protests. The accounts were suspected of being used to transfer and warehouse proceeds from unlawful activities.

The court’s decision marks a significant move in the ongoing investigation into the #EndBadGovernance protests, which lasted for 10 days across Nigeria. The police have intensified efforts to track down the account holders and other suspects involved in the protest, some of whom are believed to be at large.

The court also mandated the affected banks to report any arrests or suspicious transactions to the police, as further investigations continue into the case.