Federal High Court Orders Six Commercial Banks to Furnish IGP with Sowore's Bank Account Details

Strategic Insights -

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered six commercial banks to provide the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with the details and statements of accounts linked to human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore. The order, which was made on Tuesday, covers transactions from January 2024 to date. The court's decision comes as part of an ongoing investigation into Sowore's alleged involvement in terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered six commercial banks, including UBA Plc, GTB Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Ltd, Moniepoint, and Kuda Microfinance Bank Ltd, to furnish the IGP with Sowore's bank account details.
  • The order covers transactions from January 2024 to date and is part of an ongoing investigation into Sowore's alleged involvement in terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities.
  • The IGP has alleged that Sowore is using his bank accounts for terrorism financing and money laundering and has received financial support from foreign partners for terrorism.
  • Sowore has been critical of the IGP and has referred to him as an "Illegal IGP", sparking a series of charges against him, including forgery and criminal defamation.
  • The police have accused Sowore of being involved in a protest against the poor retirement and pension packages of retired police officers, and have claimed that he was involved in the gathering of intelligence reports that led to the protest.
  • Sowore's arrest came less than two weeks after his active roles in the 21 July protest of retired police officers to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
  • No fewer than 26 bank accounts linked to Sowore, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation and his party, the African Action Congress (AAC)', are being targeted by the police.

Statistics:

  • 6 commercial banks have been ordered to furnish the IGP with Sowore's bank account details.
  • The order covers transactions from January 2024 to date.
  • 26 bank accounts linked to Sowore, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation and his party, the African Action Congress (AAC)', are being targeted by the police.
  • Sowore has been arrested twice in the past month.
  • The police have accused Sowore of being involved in terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities.

Sources:

  • The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
  • Sahara Reporters
  • Punch News