Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana
Falana’s call is coming in reaction to the unfreezing of bank accounts belonging to 20 #EndSARS promoters.
Following the #EndSARS protest that rocked the nation in October 2020, the CBN obtained an injunction from the court to freeze the accounts of certain individuals and a public affairs company linked to the #EndSARS protests, a move which Mr. Falana describes as a case of intimidation.
The human rights lawyer who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily argued that the apex bank went out of its way.
“I do hope that sufficient lessons have been learnt particularly by the Central Bank to desist from jumping into the political arena by attempting to freeze the accounts of people who are involved in the struggle one way or the other against the government,” he stated.
Falana further argued that the CBN misled the court into believing that some grave offenses had been committed, which would require time to run an investigation.
“obtaining Order Ex parte to either detain an accused (e.g Sowore) or freeze bank accounts of the 20 #EndSARS peaceful protesters, has become the “modus operandi,” of operatives of the Buhari regime, vis-à-vis: the DSS, the CBN, the Police, etc.”
He however noted that no offense was committed and no attempt was made by the Central Bank to investigate any individual.
The lawyer urged the CBN to be more circumspect in the future, adding that the individuals whose accounts were frozen will be going to court to challenge the “gross violation” of their rights to their property.
