By Aboje Anefu, Makurdi
FEDERAL High Court presided over by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon yesterday in Makurdi, Benue State capital ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, United Bank of Africa, UBA and Fidelity Bank to jointly pay the sum of N100 million to Benue State government for freezing its accounts last year.
Delivering Judgement in the suit number FHC/MKD/CS/46/2018 filed by the Benue State government challenging the legality of the EFCC freezing its accounts, Justice Olajuwon ordered the EFCC to pay the Benue State government the sum of N50 million as damages, while UBA and Fidelity are to pay the sum of N25 million respectively.
The judge stated that the Benue State government accounts that were frozen do not fall within the classes or categories of accounts liable to be frozen by the EFCC.
She declared the action of the EFCC as illegal, null and void as the order by the EFCC to Banks to freeze the Benue State accounts was not obtained from a Federal High Court before issuing same.
The judge thereafter granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from further freezing Benue State government accounts with financial institutions.
Reacting to the Judgement, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Michael Gusa described the judgement as sound, adding that the Ortom administration believes in the rule of law and due process, and will not fail to challenge any act of illegality on the State.
It will be recalled that a few days after Governor Samuel Ortom defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, EFCC ordered the freezing of the accounts of Benue State Government domiciled in UBA and Fidelity banks on the premise that the governor’s security vote was being investigated.
The government of Benue State, through the office of Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice thereafter approached the court, seeking a declaration that the EFCC acted against the law when it directed the banks to freeze its accounts.
