Court Orders Six Banks To Release Sowore’s Account Details To IGP
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday directed six banks to provide the Inspector-General of Police with details of bank accounts linked to Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, covering transactions from January 2024 to date.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after IGP’s lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, moved an ex-parte application seeking access to the accounts.
The police told the court that Sowore was under investigation for alleged terrorism financing, money laundering and fraudulent activities.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said, “I have listened to the submission of the counsel to the applicant and I have also gone through the affidavit evidence. I am of the view and so hold that the application is meritorious. The prayer is hereby granted as prayed.”
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1757/2025, listed Sowore and Sahara Reporters Media Foundation as 1st and 2nd defendants, while United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Ltd, Moniepoint and Kuda Microfinance Bank Ltd were listed as 3rd to 8th defendants.
The IGP sought “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 IGP, in the five-ground of argument, said Sowore “is being investigated for terrorism financing, money laundering and fraudulent activities. 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 applicant said there was need for the court to grant the relief sought for the purpose of investigation and that if the order was not granted, it would jeopardise the police investigation.
Also in the affidavit attached to the motion, Bassey Ibrahim, a police officer in the Legal Section, Force CID, alleged that his office received intelligent report that Sowore “is using the accounts for terrorism financing, money laundering and receives financial support from foreign partner for terrorism.”
Ibrahim further averred, “That the respondents will not be prejudiced or indemnified by the grant of this application. That I swear to this affidavit in good faith believing the content to be true and correct in accordance with the provision of the Oath Act, 2024.”
NAN reports that no fewer than 26 accounts linked to Sowore, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation and the African Action Congress (AAC) are currently under investigation.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
