The Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has said #EndSARS promoters whose bank accounts were frozen recently by the Central Bank of Nigeria should approach a competent court to justify the legal source and purpose of funds in the frozen accounts.
Akeredolu, who is also the Ondo State Governor, said it was not the first time bank accounts would be frozen by the CBN. He noted that the issue was discussed last Sunday at the meeting of governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the region held in Lagos in the aftermath of the violence that followed the #EndSARS protests.
The governor, who spoke on Wednesday on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ Programme, said the leaders agreed at the meeting that the decision and the next steps to take on the frozen account would be made known in due course. He stated, “The issue of the accounts that were frozen was discussed but nobody said in the communique that we appreciated the government for freezing the accounts.
“The matter is some duties and we know that there are ways to get a few things done without putting it in the public glare and start contestation on the pages of newspapers. So, we know what we decided and we know what we want to do about that.
“The issue, when it was raised generated some debate here and there. But it was so clear that some people were getting to fund this for reasons other than #EndSARS. So, if we know money move from some accounts that were suspicious, do you say the government should keep quiet? It is something we are looking into.”
Akeredolu also urged the youth representatives in the Lagos State Panel of Judiciary Inquiry probing cases of police brutality and the Lekki shootings to resume sitting while they challenge the CBN action in court.
He said, “If I were counsel to those people, I will not advise them not to appear at that panel.
“Accounts are frozen, is that the first it is done? If your account was frozen, you justify why the money was there. You come and explain what use you have used the money. If it is, okay, we paid this caterer to give food to these boys when they were there. We spent money before the hoodlums took over, it will be explained, people would know and the accounts will be de-frozen.
“It is not that there is a conclusion that the accounts were used for nefarious or acts of treason, no. It is just that okay we suspected these accounts and the owners of the accounts will explain and the accounts will be de-frozen. That is what I believe.
“If for instance, my account was frozen, all I will do is to go to court and explain. Politicians’ accounts have been frozen and all they do is to go to court to explain and the court will say leave the account and the account will be de-frozen and you get your money.”
it was earlier reported that the apex bank obtained a court order to freeze the account of 20 #EndSARS campaigners.
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