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Court orders immediate unfreezing of #EndSARS promoters accounts
A Federal High Court in Abuja has set aside the order it made on November 4, 2020, freezing accounts linked with some alleged promoters of the #EndSARS protest that took place across the country last year ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately unfreeze the affected accounts.
The nation reports that Justice Mohammed proceeded to strike out the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/2020 filed by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and in respect of which the ex-parte order freezing the accounts for 180 days was made on November 4, 2020.
The court’s decision was informed by the withdrawal of all processes filed in relation to the suit by lawyers to all parties.
Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), who appeared for the CBN Governor, and Femi Falana (SAN), who appeared for those affected by the freezing order, told the court, at the commencement of proceedings, that they have resolved to withdraw all the processes filed for peace to reign and for the ongoing process of reconciliation, at the various panels of inquiry on police brutality across the country, to progress unhindered.
Justice Mohammed commended lawyers in the case for their commitment to ensuring that justice was done.
The court’s decision was informed by the withdrawal of all processes filed in relation to the suit by lawyers to all parties.
Those affected by the freezing order, who were listed as respondents in the case included 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 are Umoh Ekanem, Babatunde Segun, Mulu Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Jacob, Victor Solomon, and Idunu Williams.
At the mention of the case on Wednesday, lawyer to the CBN Governor, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) told the court that although he filed an application on February 9 this year for the extension of the freezing order, which expired on February 4, 2021, he has thought otherwise and realized the need to discontinue the case.
Aondoakaa, a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice said he noted that the case involved young people and has spoken with the lawyer on the other side on the need to withdraw all the documents filed by parties and put a close to the case.
He added: “By implication, the order goes, the accounts will be unfrozen, and nobody will be indicted. The government has set up reconciliation panels. We should give room for a rethink on this matter.
“We have the instruction from my client, the Governor of CBN, that, in the spirit of reconciliation, we should not apply for the extension of the order.
“So, we are also withdrawing our application of Feb 9, 2021 for an extension of the order. We should allow reconciliation and peace to reign.
”Although the fourth respondent is absent, we want the order to cover it as well. So, I am withdrawing the suit and all the processes we filed,” he said.
Andoakaa assured that he would serve the affected banks with the court’s latest order.
Lawyer to the respondents, Femi Falana (SAN), confirmed that he had a discussion with Aondoakaa earlier before the court’s proceedings on the need to put the issue to rest.
Falana noted that the order ex-parte made by the court on November 4, last year expired on February 4 this year.
He added: “Our motion to have the order quashed is no longer necessary. It has been overtaken by events, since the order has expired.
“We therefore pray this court to allow us to withdraw the said motion. That will also affect all other processes filed in this matter,” he said.
Falana confirmed that the government has set up judicial commission of enquiries on police brutality, which, according to him, caused the #EndSARS protests last year.
He said his application for the withdrawal of the processes filed by the respondents was also made on behalf of the fourth respondent – Gatefield Nigeria Limited – that was represented in previous proceedings by a separate lawyer, who was absent in court on Wednesday.
