Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of Ondo State has asked the EndSARS protester whose bank Account were frozen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) come out clearly and justify the source and use of the funds in their accounts, noting that the action of the CBN would not be a first of its kind.
The Ondo state governor who also doubles as the chairman of the south west governors’ forum, noted that the matter was discussed during the meeting of governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the region held in Lagos on sunday, November 8, 2020, in the aftermath of the violence that trailed the protests.
“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.
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 debate. But it was so clear that some people were getting to fund this for reasons other than #EndSARS. So, if we know money moved from some accounts that were suspicious, do you say the government should keep quiet? It is something we are looking into.”.
The governor stated Wednesday, November 11, 2020, whilst speaking during a televised program on Channels Television.
On the boycotting of the Lagos State Judicial panel of inquiry by the youth representative, one of who was affected by the CBN’s action, Mr. Akeredolu requested the representative to re-take their place on the panel, whilst legitimately challenging the actions of the CBN in court. “If I were counsel to those people, I will not advise them not to appear at that panel.
Accounts were frozen, is that the first time it is done? If your account was frozen, you justify why the money was there. You 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 will know and the accounts will be de-frozen. 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 accounts and the accounts will be de-frozen and they get their money.” he stated.
Recall that TheNigeriaLawyer had previously reported that the CBN had obtain an Ex-parte order from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to freeze the account of some protesters for 90 days in order to properly investigate issues of terrorism, which it accused the protesters of.
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