N30bn Judgement: Court issues garnishee order on Kano govt accounts

A Federal High Court in Abuja, has granted a garnishee order Nisi, against accounts belonging to  Kano State Government in 20 commercial banks and 4 other accounts in Nigeria.

Justice I.E Ekwo granted the order in a suit filed by Incorporated Trustees of Masalachi Eid shop owners and Traders Association over demolition of their shops which they described as an illegal action carried out by the state in June 2023.

SOLACEBASE reports that the applicants, Alhaji Awalu sai’du, Ifeanyi Nwobodo, Alhaji Sani Uba, Alhaji Abdullahi A. Idris, and 25 others sued Kano State Government, as judgment creditors, to the tune of N30bn.

The order is contained in a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling delivered on November 28, 2023 and made available to newsmen on Wednesday.

According to the CTC, Ganishees (bank accounts) are CBN, Federal Ministry of Finance, FAAC, Accountant General of the Federation and commercial banks that include UBA, Access bank, Jaiz bank, TAJ Bank, Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and 17 others.

The order froze all funds (Present and Future) of Kano State government, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority(KNUPDA), and the Attorney General of Kano State (Including but limited to Kano State FAAC Accountand Account number1019716320 at UBA and Account number 1790249410 Polaris Bank) and other accounts in the custody of the respective Garnishees to the tune of N30,000,000,000., in satisfaction of the judgement of the federal high court sitting in Kano per S.A Amobeda, J. dated the 29th September, 2023herein being enforced in favor of the judgment creditors.

Also, it ordered directing the Garnishees hereinto appear before this honorable court and show cause ( if any ) why the order nisi (Temporary) should not be made absolute against them.

The court said this is sequel to a motion ex-parte dated and filed 10th October 2023

It ordered the judgment creditors to serve the defendants and Garnishees at least 14 days before the next date of hearing.

The court then adjourned to 18th January 2024 for Garnishees to show cause.