A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a garnishee order, freezing at least 24 bank accounts linked to the Kano State government.
This action stems from a N30 billion compensation ruling in favor of the Incorporated Trustees of Masalachi Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association for the demolition of their shops in Kano State, deemed an illegal act by the state in June 2023.
Justice I. E. Ekwo granted this order in response to a suit filed by the affected shop owners and traders, detailing the unauthorized demolition.
The Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling, dated November 28, 2023, and signed by Registrar Chioma Chijioke, was made public on Wednesday.
The order freezes the funds of the Kano State Government, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), and the Attorney General of Kano State, encompassing various accounts, including Account No. 1019716320 at UBA and Account No. 1790249410 at Polaris Bank, to the sum of N30 billion in compliance with the Federal High Court’s judgment in favor of the shop owners.
Additionally, a cost of N2 million for the Garnishees proceeding was awarded. The Garnishees were instructed to appear before the court to provide reasons, if any, why the order should not be absolute against them.
The court set the next hearing for January 18, 2024, for the Garnishees to present their case. The frozen accounts span 24 banks, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Earlier, the Incorporated Trustees of Masalachi Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association had filed a case against the state government in a Federal High Court sitting in Kano. The court ruled in their favor, mandating the payment of N30 billion as compensation to the shop owners.