The Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division has ordered First City Monument Bank Ltd (FCMB) to freeze the accounts of former Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) staff, Albert Austin Ugochukwu alongside four others over laundering investigation.
This was contained in a circular titled ‘Freezing Order – Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/326/2021, Between Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria & Albert Austin Ugochukwu & 5 ORS’ on the official website of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Wednesday.
According to the circular, the accounts of Albert Austin Ugochukwu, Belfour Energy & Allied Services, Belfour Oil And Gas Ltd, Circle Flow Integrated Services and Kacynaus Realty Nig Ltd Tasmara Integrated Services are to be frozen for a period of 6 months.
“UPON THE MOTION EXPARTE dated the 12th day of March, 2021 and filed on the 16th day of March, 2021 praying this Honourable Court for the following orders:
1. A MANDATORY ORDER of the ‘Honourable Court empowering the Plaintiff/ Applicant to direct the Head Office of: FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK LTD Primose Towers, 17A Tinubu Street, Lagos State.
“To freeze forthwith all transactions under-listed Bank accounts and all other Bank accounts of the Defendants/ Respondents for a period of 180 days pending the outcome of investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“AND FOR SUCH FURTHER ORDER OR OTHER ORDER(S) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances. UPON READING the Affidavit in support of the Applcation, Affidavit of Urgency, Venfyng Affidavit and Affidavit of Non-multiplicty of action all deposed to by Oluwatoyosi Suwebat Oladipo, Nigerian, Female, Aduit, Assistant Manager of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Central Business District, Abuja, together with an Exhibit attached thereto and filed at the Court Registry.
“AFTER HEARING A. T. Kohol Esq with Matthew Esq of counsel for the Applicant move in terms of the Motion paper;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:
“AN INTERIM ORDER is made empowering the Applicant to direct the Head Office of Firat City Monument Bank Ltd to freeze forthwth all transactions on the Bank Accounts listed on the Motion paper for a period of 45 days only pending the outcome of investigation currently being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria”. It read.
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