#EndSARS: Youths Criticise CBN Governor Over Plans To Freeze Bank Account Of Protesters , Threatens To Embark On Another Protest

Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has come under heavy censure over plans to ‘illegally’ freeze 20 bank accounts linked to #EndSARS protests.

On Friday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted CBN’s request to freeze the bank accounts, a request which was filed on October 20.

During the protest against police brutality and extra-judicial killings which lasted for two weeks,  many Nigerians and individuals around the world donated towards funding the needs of the movement.

The funds were used to pay bill of protesters arrested, provided legal and medical aids as well as welfare services for protesters in different parts of the country. Some personal and business accounts were used in receiving and disbursing funds.

The court order has now directed head offices of Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank of Africa, and Zenith Bank To Freeze 20 Of Those Accounts Connected To #EndSARS Protests.

It directed the banks to freeze all transactions on the 20 accounts on the list annexed to the CBN’s application as Exhibit A and all other bank accounts of the defendants/respondents for a period of 180 days pending the outcome of investigation and inquiry being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

However, the development has been widely condemned by many Nigerians, calling out Governor Godwin Emefiele for allegedly being used as a pawn by the Federal Government to witch-hunt the peaceful protesters.

This comes few days after Immigration Service seized the traveling passport of one of #EndSARS protest frontliners, Modupe ‘Moe’ Odele and prevented from leaving the country for a vacation.

Many Nigerians have since accused the Federal Government of compiling a ‘no-fly list’ of Nigerian youths who actively participated in the #ENDSARS protests across the country, an allegation which it has described as fake news.

Youths are now threatening to embark on another strike over the recent alleged clamp down actions of the Federal Government.