Unfreeze Obasa’s Account, Court Tells Bank

A Lagos High Court has directed the Standard Chartered bankto unfreeze the three accounts of the Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa after he was cleared of money laundering allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo made the pronouncement, following the withdrawal of the laundering case by EFCC against the speaker.

Oweibo, had consequently, discharged the ‘lien/Post No Debit’ placed on Obasa’s three accounts in Standard Chartered bank, and set aside the Ex-parte Orders made September 15, 2020, which led to the frozen of the accounts.

The court had on September 15, 2020, temporary freezed the accounts belonging to Obasa, sequel to an Exparte motion numbered FHC/L/CS/1064/2020, filed by the EFCC.

The Obasa’s accounts affected by the freezing order of the court were: (US Dollars) 00×××××××63; (Current) 00×××××056 and (Saving) 50××××××××24, domiciled in Standard Chartered Bank.

Justice Oweibo, on August 16, 2023, had heard the application to unfreeze the accounts in the Chamber.

During the hearing of the matter, the EFCC was represented by Mr. Sulaiman I. Sulaiman, while Honourable Obasa was represented by A. Olumide-Fusika, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The EFCC lawyer had told the court that the application to unfreeze the accounts was pursuant to Section 44(2)(K) of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of NIGERIA, 1999 (as amended) and Sections 26, 29 and 34 (1) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

\Justice Oweibo after taken arguments from counsel, held that: “upon reading through the affidavit in support of Motion on Notice and with the Exhibits attached therein, deposed to by Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Male, Nigerian, Adult, Legislator of Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, tkeja, Lagos and a Written Address dated 1st day of August, 2023 and filed at this Court Registry on the on 2nd day of August, 2023.

“And after hearing the submissions of A.Olumide-Fusika, SAN, with him Martin Chioma, Esq, Learned Counsel for the respondent/applicant, who moved in terms of the Motion paper. And S. I. Suleiman, Esq, Learned Counsel for the Applicant/Respondent not opposing the application.

“And the court after careful consideration of the application and submissions of Counsel.

“It is hereby ordered that an order is hereby granted to the respondent/applicant setting aside the Ex-parte Orders of this Court made on the 15th day of September, 2020 upon the Ex-parte Motion of the Applicant/ Respondent in relation the funds of the Respondent/Applicant domiciled in the accounts stated in the following schedule:……………”

“Issued At Lagos, Under the seal of this Honourable Court and by the hands of the Presiding Judge this 16th day of August, 2023.”