The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed six banks to provide the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with details of account documents and all financial transactions linked to Omoyele Sowore from January 2024 to date.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday after the IGP’s counsel, Wisdom Madaki, moved an ex parte motion seeking the release of the records.
According to the IGP, Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, is under investigation over allegations of terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said the request was justified. “I have listened to the submission of the counsel to the applicant, and I have also gone through the affidavit evidence. I am of the view and so hold that the application is meritorious. The prayer is hereby granted as prayed,” the judge declared.
The ex parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1757/2025, listed Sowore and Sahara Reporters Media Foundation as the 1st and 2nd defendants, while United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Ltd, Moniepoint, and Kuda Microfinance Bank Ltd were joined as the 3rd to 8th defendants.
The IGP requested “an order directing the following banks: UBA Plc, GTB Plc, ZENITH Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Limited, Moniepoint and Kuda Microfinance Bank Limited to furnish the applicant through the office of the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit with an account opening package/mandate card, a certified true copy of the statement of account reflecting transfers with account numbers of both inflows and outflows from January, 2024 till date.”
In the five grounds of argument, the police claimed Sowore “is being investigated for terrorism financing, money laundering and fraudulent activities. That the complainant had commenced an investigation into the activities of the 1st respondent. That the accounts seeking to obtain the statement of accounts are the accounts which the 1st respondent is using for terrorism financing and money laundering.”
An affidavit deposed by Bassey Ibrahim, a police officer with the Legal Section of the Force CID, alleged that intelligence reports indicated Sowore “is using the accounts for terrorism financing, money laundering and receiving financial support from foreign partners for terrorism.”
Ibrahim further stated: “That the respondents will not be prejudiced or indemnified by the grant of this application. That I swear to this affidavit in good faith, believing the content to be true and correct in accordance with the provisions of the Oath Act, 2024.”
No fewer than 26 accounts linked to Sowore, including those belonging to Sahara Reporters Media Foundation and his political party, the African Action Congress (AAC), are currently under investigation.