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| Okezie Ikpeazu. |
“Precious Eze’s Blog” reports that a Federal High Court based, Abuja, has ordered the freezing of all Abia State Government funds held in approximately 27 commercial banks in Nigeria.
The
order was issued by Justice Bello Kawu while ruling on a motion ex parte filed
by Mr Uche Eni against the Accountant-General of Abia State and the
Commissioner for Finance.
In
ruling on the motion, the court also barred all banks from cooperating with
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s financial aides pending the outcome of the motion on
notice.
Commercial
banks listed as Respondents include: Access Bank Plc, Eco Bank Plc, First Bank
Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federation Account
Allocation Committee (FAAC), Accountant General of the Federation and 21 other
financial institutions.
The
court also granted reliefs sought by the claimant’s lawyer, Johnmary C.
Jideobi, among which are:
“An
order of this Honourable Court freezing forthwith all the monies belonging to
the people and Government of Abia State of Nigeria or controlled by the
Defendants and domiciled in any Bank (whatsoever named) operating within
Nigeria or domiciled with or in the hands of the 1st to 28th Respondents
PENDING the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed herein.
“An
order of this honourable court restraining the 1st to 28th Respondents from
co-operating with the 1st and 2nd Defendants or any authority and person
purporting to be acting on behalf of or in the name of the Government of Abia
State of Nigeria (howsoever named or described) in accessing any funds held by
the 1st to 28th Respondents for the benefit of the people and Government of
Abia State of Nigeria PENDING the hearing and determination of the motion on
notice filed herein.
“An
order of court granting the Claimant/ Applicant leave to effect a substituted
service of all the originating processes in this suit, inclusive of the
ex-parte Order of this Court, on the 1st and 2 Defendants at the Abia State
Liaison Office, Abia House, Abuja, through any registered post or courier
service operating within the Jurisdiction of this honourable Court and for same
to be deemed as proper services.
“An
order restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants forthwith from Interfering with
dealing with, withdrawing or accessing in whatever manner, monies in the hand
of the 1 to 28th Respondents belonging to the Government and people of Abia
State pending the hearing and disposal of the Motion on Notice filed herein.
“An
interim order of this Honourable Court restraining all the Respondents and
their privies, whether severally or individually, from extending any loan
facility howsoever called or described) to the Government of Abia State pending
the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed herein.”
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the matter to April 5, 2023 for hearing on Motion on Notice.
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