Court grants request to freeze ex-Zamfara governor, Yari’s accounts

The Federal High Court Abuja, on Friday, gave the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) the permission to freeze the Polaris and Zenith Bank accounts linked to the immediate-past Governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari, pending the conclusion of its investigation.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ICPC had sought the court order in an exparte motion with file number: CS/916/19 brought by its Counsel, E.O. Akponimisingha, to freeze the ex-governor’s account which are Zenith Bank account:1001381684 (N12.9m), 1010757436 (11.1m), 5360050304 ($301, 319.99), 1012556798 (N217, 388.04), 5364669609 ($311, 872.15), the Polaris bank account :2110000928 ($56, 056.75).

Akponimisingha, who is a Senior Legal Officer with the commission, said the motion exparte was dated Aug. 5 and filed on Aug. 6.

NAN reports that Mr Yari and two others are respondents in the case.

The lawyer told Justice Taiwo Taiwo that the commission sought the order of the court based on the law that gives the court the jurisdiction to hear the case.

He said the motion was brought in accordance with Section 17, Subsection 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Act 2006; Section 48, Subsection 1, 2, 3a and b of the Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

”The motion is praying for 10 orders. Nine orders are the main while the tenth order is omnibus,” he said.

In his ruling, Justice Taiwo, who granted the prayers sought by the ICPC, asked the commission to put the respondents on notice and the publication be made in The Punch Newspaper within seven days, excluding today (Aug. 16).

He also said that the respondents should within 14 days file an affidavit on why the money should not be forfeited.

The judge thereafter adjourned the matter till Sept. 11.

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