On Tuesday, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered six banks to provide the Nigeria Police with Omoyele Sowore’s account details and transaction records from January 2024. The decision followed an ex parte application by the IGP’s lawyer, Wisdom Madaki.
In motion FHC/ABJ/CS/1757/2025, Sowore and Sahara Reporters Media Foundation are the 1st and 2nd respondents, with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Ltd, and Kuda Microfinance Bank Ltd, and Moniepoint as the other respondents.
The police requested an order directing Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Ltd, and Kuda Microfinance Bank Ltd, to provide the applicant, through the IGP Monitoring Unit, with the account opening documents, mandate cards, and certified copies of account statements showing all transfers and account numbers for both inflows and outflows from January 2024 to the present.
The police stated that they suspected Sowore of terrorism financing, money laundering, including alleged financial support from foreign partners, and fraud. At least 26 bank accounts tied to him, including those of Sahara Reporters Media Foundation and African Action Congress, are also in the scope of the investigation.
In granting the application, Justice Nwite said he agreed with the applicant and that the application has merit. “I have listened to the submissions of 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,” he said.
