The federal high court in Abuja has ordered six banks to provide the inspector-general of police (IGP) with information pertaining to the accounts connected to Omoyele Sowore, an activist and publisher.
Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, issued the order on Tuesday following an ex-parte application moved by Wisdom Madaki, counsel to the IGP.
The defendants in the suit are Sowore, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Ltd, Moniepoint, and Kuda Microfinance Bank Ltd.
The IGP told the court that Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2023, “is being investigated for terrorism financing, money laundering and fraudulent activities”.
“An order directing the following banks; UBA Plc, GTB plc, ZENITH Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Limited, Moniepoint and Kuda Microfinance Bank Limited to furnished the applicant through the office of the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit account opening package/mandate card, certified true copy of the statement of account reflecting transfers with account numbers of both inflows and outflows from January, 2024 till date,” the suit reads.
“That the complainant had commenced investigation in the activities of the 1st respondent.
“That the accounts seeking to obtain the statement of accounts are the accounts which the 1st respondent is using for terrorism financing and money laundering.”
The IGP said if the court did not grant the request, it would jeopardise police investigation.
AFFIDAVIT
The affidavit attached to the application was sworn by Bassey Ibrahim, a police officer in the legal section of the force criminal investigation department (CID).
Ibrahim alleged that his office received an intelligence report that Sowore “is using the accounts for terrorism financing, money laundering and receives financial support from foreign partner for terrorism”.
The police officer argued that there is need for police to secure a court order to obtain statements of the accounts linked to Sowore for investigation.
At least 26 accounts were linked to Sowore, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation and AAC.
On August 6, Sowore was detained by the police after he honoured an invitation at the force headquarters. He was later released on August 8.
The activist was invited by the police over a case bordering on “forgery and inciting disturbance”.
Sowore has been at loggerheads with police authorities in recent months, following his criticism of the tenure extension of Kayode Egbetokun, the IGP, and the poor welfare of retired police officers.
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