A Federal High Court in Abuja has frozen the accounts of the Kano State Government due to its failure to comply with a court order.
The Kano State Government had failed to pay N30 billion in compensation to Incorporated Trustees of Masalachi Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association, for demolition of their shops in the State
The frozen order affects 24 Kano State bank accounts, including the Central Bank of Nigeria account of the State.
The presiding judge, Justice E.A Ekwo, granted the order in a suit filed before the court by the shop owners and traders, over the demolition of their shops, which they described as an illegal action carried out by the State in June 2023.
READ ALSO: Court demands Kano gov’t pays N30bn demolition compensation
Justice Ekwo, also directed the State Government to appear before the court on January 18 to provide an explanation regarding the freezing of N30 billion in the affected bank accounts.
The order was contained in a copy of the Certified True Copy of the ruling delivered on November 28, 2023 and signed by the Registrar, Chioma Chijioke and made available to newsmen on Wednesday.
The order read: “A garnishee order Nisi is hereby made attaching the funds of Kano State Government, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority and Attorney General of Kano State and other accounts in the custody of the respective Garnishees to the tune of N30 billion in satisfaction of the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano per S. A Amobeda, J. dated the 29th September, 2023 herein being enforced in favour of the judgment creditors.
“Order is hereby made granting the sum of N2 million only being the cost of the Garnishees proceeding.
“The Garnishees herein are hereby ordered to appear before this court to show cause why the order Nisi should not be made absolute against them.
“Judgment creditors to serve the defendants and Garnishees at least 14 days before the next date of hearing,” the Judge, Justice Ekwo said.
The court however adjourned the case till 18th January, 2024 for Garnishes to show case.
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