In a significant development in an ongoing investigation, the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed six major financial institutions to provide the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with comprehensive account details linked to prominent activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore.
The order, issued on Tuesday, mandates the banks to release transaction records, including inflows and outflows, from January 2024 to the present.
Justice Emeka Nwite presided over the case, granting the exparte motion filed by the IGP’s legal representative, Wisdom Madaki. The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1757/2025, named Sowore and Sahara Reporters Media Foundation as the first and second defendants, respectively.
The banks involved—United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Opay Digital Services Ltd, Moniepoint, and Kuda Microfinance Bank Ltd—were listed as the third to eighth defendants.
The court’s ruling came after Madaki argued that the information was crucial for probing allegations against Sowore, including terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraudulent activities.
Justice Nwite, in his decision, stated, “I have listened to the submission of the 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 IGP’s application emphasized the need for account opening packages, mandate cards, and certified statements of accounts to facilitate the investigation.
In supporting documents, the police claimed that Sowore’s accounts were allegedly used for illicit purposes, with intelligence reports indicating financial support from foreign partners for terrorism-related activities.
A police officer, Bassey Ibrahim, from the Legal Section of the Force CID, deposed in an affidavit that the order was essential to uncover details of these suspected fraudulent operations. He assured that granting the request would not prejudice the respondents and was in line with the Oaths Act of 2024.
Omoyele Sowore, a vocal critic of the Nigerian government and founder of the online news platform Sahara Reporters, has a history of activism.
He ran for president in 2019 under the African Action Congress (AAC) and has faced multiple arrests for his advocacy, including charges related to the #RevolutionNow protests.
The current probe extends to no fewer than 26 bank accounts associated with Sowore, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, and the AAC, highlighting the breadth of the investigation.
Legal experts suggest this move could raise concerns about privacy and freedom of expression, given Sowore’s role as a journalist and political figure.
However, authorities maintain it is a necessary step in combating financial crimes. The banks are expected to comply promptly, providing the requested documents through the IGP’s Monitoring Unit.
As the investigation unfolds, Sowore has yet to publicly respond to the court’s order. This case underscores ongoing tensions between Nigerian security agencies and civil society actors, with potential implications for press freedom and political dissent in the country.
