A Federal High Court in Abuja has frozen 24 bank A Federal High Court in Abuja has frozen 24 bank accounts belonging to the Kano State Government over the demolition of shops at the Masalachi Eid Shopping Complex in the state.
The freeze, ordered by Justice I.E. Ekwo, aims to secure N30 billion in compensation awarded to the Incorporated Trustees of Masalachi Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association.
The association claims the demolition, carried out by the state government in June 2023, was illegal and caused significant financial losses to their businesses. In response, they filed a lawsuit seeking compensation, which ultimately resulted in the N30 billion judgment in their favour.
The court order specifies the freezing of “funds (present and future)” belonging to the Kano State Government, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), and the Attorney General of Kano State. The frozen accounts, spanning across 24 different banks, will remain inaccessible until the compensation is fully paid.
Justice Ekwo has further directed the defendants and garnishees to appear before the court on January 18, 2024, to explain why the order should not be made absolute. The judgment creditors are required to serve the parties involved 14 days prior to the hearing.
