The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has placed a Lien/Post-No-Debit status on the bank accounts of two persons suspected of involvement in cocaine dealing.

Vacation judge, Justice Tijjani Ringim made the interim order following a motion ex parte filed and argued by NDLEA counsel Mr. Umar Hussaini, in suit FHC/L/CS/569/2023.

The order will last for 90 days.

Umar told the judge that the order would enable the NDLEA to conclude its investigation before prosecution.

The prosecution also made a prayer for an order “directing Ecobank Plc; Sterling Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc, to allow the NDLEA inspect and make Certified True Copies (CTC) of account opening packages, statements of accounts and any relevant documents in their custody in compliance with Section 84 of the Evidence Act 2011, for purposes of investigation with such cooperation afforded them as required by the said law.”

Justice Ringim, after reading the affidavit in support of the motion ex parte with the exhibits attached, deposed to by Nnanna Alamezie, granted Umar’s prayers.

The judge held: “It is hereby ordered as follows; ‘that an Order of this Honourable Court is hereby granted to the Applicant directing the Placing Of Lien/Post No Debit Status on the following account numbers: Ecobank Plc with account numbers: 2951023182 belonging to the 4th respondent presently under the custody of the Applicant for 90 days pending the conclusion of investigations in the matter.

“That an order of this honourable court is hereby granted to the applicant directing the Placing Of Lien/post No Debit Status on the following account numbers: Sterling Bank Plc with account number: 0011665893 belonging to the fourth respondent presently under the custody of the Applicant for 90 days pending the conclusion of investigations in the matter.

“That an order of this honourable court is hereby granted to the applicant directing the Placing Of Lien/post No Debit Status on the following account numbers: Access Bank Plc with account numbers: 0049630392 belonging to the 5th Respondent presently under the custody of the Applicant for 90 days pending the conclusion of investigations in the matter.

“That an order of this honourable court is hereby granted to the applicant directing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respondents to allow the applicant to inspect and make Certified True Copies of account opening packages, statements of accounts, and any relevant documents in their custody in compliance with section 84 of the Evidence Act, 2011, for purposes of investigation with such cooperation afforded them as required by the said law.

“That this matter shall be remitted to the Admin. judge for assignment to any of the regular courts,” he held.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the same division of the court, on March 30, 2023, remanded the suspected drug dealers in the NDLEA’s custody, pending the conclusion of the investigation of conspiracy and unlawful possession of and dealing in 1.155 kilograms of cocaine allegations made against them by the NDLEA.(The Nation)

•