The Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) has admitted in court documents to collaborating with the Department of State Services (DSS) to freeze the bank accounts of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore.
The revelation was made in a counter-affidavit submitted by GTB in response to Sowore’s legal action, which seeks ₦100 million in damages for the alleged violation of his rights.
Sowore, a prominent pro-democracy advocate, filed the suit against GTB at the Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing the bank of unlawfully freezing his accounts since 2019. The freeze followed his arrest by the DSS on allegations of treasonable felony and terrorism financing. Despite the charges being struck out by the Federal High Court in Abuja in February 2024, Sowore’s accounts remain frozen.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who dismissed the charges, also ordered the return of all items seized from Sowore by the DSS, including his passport. However, GTB has continued to enforce the freeze, citing a directive from the DSS and an October 2019 court order.
In the counter-affidavit, GTB’s compliance officer, John Okojie, confirmed the bank acted on directives from the DSS to place a Post-No-Debit (PND) restriction on Sowore’s accounts. According to Okojie, the bank was bound to comply with government orders and has not received any instructions to lift the freeze.
Through his counsel, Inibehe Effiong, Sowore is challenging the legality of the freeze, arguing that it violates his constitutional right to property under Section 44 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Sowore is seeking:
1. A declaration that the freeze on his accounts is unlawful and unconstitutional.
2. An order directing GTB to lift the restrictions on his accounts.
3. A perpetual injunction restraining the bank from further interference with his accounts.
4. ₦100 million in damages** for financial and emotional distress caused by the freeze.
Sowore noted that the prolonged freeze had caused him financial hardship, disrupted his business activities, and forced him to borrow money to meet daily needs.
The case has sparked public outrage over the alleged abuse of power and lack of accountability by state institutions and private entities. Legal experts argue that the prolonged freeze, despite the dismissal of charges, sets a troubling precedent for the arbitrary use of financial restrictions as a tool of suppression.
GTB insists it acted within the law, citing a court order from 2019 and DSS directives. The bank claims it has not received any contrary order to lift the restrictions and therefore cannot act unilaterally.