FCT Court Orders Block on Oyo State Government’s Bank Accounts

A recent ruling by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has resulted in the freezing of the Oyo State Government’s accounts in ten commercial banks across the country. Justice A. O. Ebong issued the order in response to a garnishee proceeding initiated by former council leaders in Oyo State, who were dismissed on May 29, 2019, by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The ex-council leaders, led by Bashorun Majeed Ajuwon, secured a judgment of N4,874,889,425.60 against Governor Makinde and other state officials in 2021. The ruling, stemming from their dismissal, prompted a garnishee proceeding to recover the outstanding balance of N3,424,889,425.60 from the initial judgment sum, as Makinde had paid only N1.5 billion in 2022.

The Supreme Court’s judgment, dated May 7, 2021, listed the judgment debtors as Governor Makinde, the Attorney-General, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Accountant-General of Oyo State, Speaker of the House of Assembly, the House of Assembly, and the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC).

The garnishee proceeding resulted in the freezing of Oyo State Government’s accounts in Zenith Bank, United Bank of Africa (UBA), Wema Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Ecobank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, Polaris Bank, Jaiz Bank, and Union Bank.

Justice Ebong, in the ruling delivered on December 15, ordered the banks to file affidavits and attend the court on the next adjourned date to explain why the garnishee orders should not be made absolute. He also awarded N300,000.00 as costs against the judgment debtors and directed that a copy of the order be served on Governor Makinde and others. The case is adjourned until January 5, 2024, for further proceedings.

Source: Daily Post