Comment On Freezing Of #EndSars Protesters Accounts Will Jeopardize Panels Sittings — Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on
Wednesday declined to comment on the freezing of accounts belonging
to key #EndSARS promoters and protesters, noting that doing so will
jeopardize investigations currently ongoing.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reportedly froze the bank
accounts of about 20 identified organisers of the protests and an
organisation linked with the protests.

The accounts are domiciled in Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank,
Fidelity Bank, First Bank, United Bank for Africa, and Zenith
Bank.

Some of the affected individuals include Bolatito Racheal
Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Saadat Temitope
Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea
Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi
Promise, and Mosopefoluwa Odeseye.

Others are: Adegoke Pamilerin Yusif. Umoh Grace Ekanem,
Babatunde Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora,
Winifred Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon, Idunu A. Williams,
and Gatefield Nigeria Limited.

Asked by State House Correspondents the rationale behind
blocking the bank accounts of some key #EndSARS protesters and what
the government seeks to gain from the peace meetings, Mohammed said
he does not need to comment about the issue because the Judicial
Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate police brutality and
extra-judicial killings have started their work across the
country.

The minister was cornered after briefing on the Federal
Executive Council meeting decisions at the Council Chambers of the
presidential villa, Abuja.

He said any response from him will preempt the findings from the
panels of inquiry across the country.

He stressed that it would be wise to await the outcome of their
inquest.

“I’m a bit constrained addressing this issue because I know that
various states have set up panels of inquiry to look into the
entire EndSARS protests, with very defined terms of reference, so
any attempt from me now to second-guess or try to defend or proffer
answers to any question, I think will be improper.

“I’ll rather wait for the panels that have been set up to do
their jobs”, he said.

Recall that a criminal complaint has been filed against 50
persons, including musicians Damini Ogulu (Burna Boy); David
Adeleke (Davido); Folarin Falana (Falz); and social media
comedians, Debo Adebayo (Mr. Macaroni); and Maryam Akpaokagi
(Taoma), before an Abuja Magistrate, by an activist, Kenechukwu
Okeke, for their alleged roles in the protests.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on
Wednesday declined to comment on the freezing of accounts belonging
to key #EndSARS promoters and protesters, noting that doing so will
jeopardize investigations currently ongoing.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reportedly froze the bank
accounts of about 20 identified organisers of the protests and an
organisation linked with the protests.

The accounts are domiciled in Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank,
Fidelity Bank, First Bank, United Bank for Africa, and Zenith
Bank.

Some of the affected individuals include Bolatito Racheal
Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Saadat Temitope
Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea
Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi
Promise, and Mosopefoluwa Odeseye.

Others are: Adegoke Pamilerin Yusif. Umoh Grace Ekanem,
Babatunde Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora,
Winifred Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon, Idunu A. Williams,
and Gatefield Nigeria Limited.

Asked by State House Correspondents the rationale behind
blocking the bank accounts of some key #EndSARS protesters and what
the government seeks to gain from the peace meetings, Mohammed said
he does not need to comment about the issue because the Judicial
Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate police brutality and
extra-judicial killings have started their work across the
country.

The minister was cornered after briefing on the Federal
Executive Council meeting decisions at the Council Chambers of the
presidential villa, Abuja.

He said any response from him will preempt the findings from the
panels of inquiry across the country.

He stressed that it would be wise to await the outcome of their
inquest.

“I’m a bit constrained addressing this issue because I know that
various states have set up panels of inquiry to look into the
entire EndSARS protests, with very defined terms of reference, so
any attempt from me now to second-guess or try to defend or proffer
answers to any question, I think will be improper.

“I’ll rather wait for the panels that have been set up to do
their jobs”, he said.

Recall that a criminal complaint has been filed against 50
persons, including musicians Damini Ogulu (Burna Boy); David
Adeleke (Davido); Folarin Falana (Falz); and social media
comedians, Debo Adebayo (Mr. Macaroni); and Maryam Akpaokagi
(Taoma), before an Abuja Magistrate, by an activist, Kenechukwu
Okeke, for their alleged roles in the protests.