The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has directed eight Nigerian commercial banks to lift the post‑no‑debit (PND) restrictions imposed on 13 bank accounts linked to various organisations and individuals. The affected accounts had been frozen pursuant to an earlier court order obtained by the Inspector‑General of Police (IGP) in the course of a 2022 investigation into alleged financial misappropriation.
The accounts in question were associated with the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and Public‑Private Partnership (FIPA‑APP), the United Nations Youth Global Foundation, and 11 other entities. The police had alleged offences bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation, and cheating.
The matter was initially referred to the AIG, INTERPOL Section, for investigation. To preserve funds during the inquiry, the police secured a freezing order to prevent withdrawals.
In an ex parte motion, counsel to the IGP, Wisdom Madaki, Esq., urged the court to lift the restrictions, noting that the investigation had been concluded. He argued that unfreezing the accounts would allow the respondents to resume legitimate financial transactions and that the application was in the interest of justice.
A supporting affidavit deposed to by Bassey Ibitham, a police officer attached to the Directorate of Legal Services, confirmed that one of the suspects had confessed to misappropriation, and that the investigative process had run its course.
After considering the submissions, Justice Nwite granted the application as prayed, thereby ordering the affected banks to lift the PND restrictions.
This ruling follows a similar order made by Justice Inyang Ekwo on 19 September 2024, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/852/2024, where four banks were directed to unfreeze accounts belonging to five respondents under investigation for alleged foreign exchange fraud of ₦150 million. In that case, the court also acted upon an ex parte application by the IGP after investigations had been concluded.
