The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed six banks to provide the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with full details of bank accounts linked to activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, amid ongoing investigations into alleged terrorism financing, money laundering and fraudulent activities.
Justice Emeka Nwite, delivering a ruling on Tuesday, granted the order after counsel to the IGP, Mr. Wisdom Madaki, moved an ex-parte application seeking access to Sowore’s financial records.
According to the court documents, the order mandates United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Ltd, Moniepoint, and Kuda Microfinance Bank Ltd to furnish the police with Sowore’s account opening packages, mandate cards, and certified statements of accounts reflecting inflows and outflows from January 2024 to date.
Justice Nwite held that the motion had merit, noting:
> “I have listened to the submission of 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 case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1757/2025, has Sowore and Sahara Reporters Media Foundation listed as 1st and 2nd defendants, while the six financial institutions were joined as 3rd to 8th defendants.
In a supporting affidavit, a police officer attached to the Force CID Legal Section, Bassey Ibrahim, alleged that intelligence reports indicated Sowore was “using the accounts for terrorism financing, money laundering and receiving financial support from foreign partners for terrorism.”
Ibrahim further argued that without the court’s intervention, ongoing investigations could be jeopardised. He assured the court that the respondents “would not be prejudiced” by the granting of the application.
Findings indicate that no fewer than 26 bank accounts linked to Sowore, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, and his political platform, the African Action Congress (AAC), are under scrutiny.
Sowore, a fierce critic of successive governments, has had multiple brushes with security agencies over the years, with his activism frequently drawing the attention of state authorities.
The police are expected to proceed with a forensic review of the accounts as part of their wider probe into the allegations.
