All of the Abia State government’s funds housed in around 27 banks have been ordered frozen by a Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja.
In an exparte motion no: M/6686/2023, Judge Bello Kawu also prohibited all banks from assisting Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s financial advisors while the motion was pending.
Mr. Uche Eni sued the Abia State Commissioner for Finance and the state’s Accountant-General.
Respondents included Access Bank Plc, Eco Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank, Accountant General of the Federation, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and 21 financial institutions.
The case was adjourned to April 5, 2023 while the court approved the reliefs the claimant’s attorney Johnmary C. Jideobi had requested.
The court granted the following Order(s):-
“A mareva 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.
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“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.”
