The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered six banks to release Omoyele Sowore’s account details to the Inspector-General of Police.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the directive after the IGP’s lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, moved an ex parte motion. The motion demanded full transaction records, including inflows and outflows, from January 2024 to date.
Police are investigating Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener of the African Action Congress. Authorities accuse him of terrorism financing, money laundering, and other fraudulent activities.
Investigators have placed no fewer than 26 accounts under scrutiny. These accounts belong to Sowore, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, and the African Action Congress.
The six banks listed in the case are UBA, GTBank, Zenith Bank, Opay, Moniepoint, and Kuda Microfinance Bank.
In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1757/2025, the IGP asked the court to order the six banks to release Sowore’s account opening documents, mandate cards, and certified statements.
Supporting the request, Bassey Ibrahim, a police officer with the Force CID Legal Section, explained that intelligence reports linked Sowore’s accounts to foreign partners. He alleged that the accounts channeled funds to finance terrorism and launder money.
Bassey noted that investigators needed the six bank account statements to strengthen their probe. He argues that police efforts cannot succeed without these records.
After reviewing the arguments, Justice Nwite said the application was meritorious. He therefore granted the request in full.
As a result, investigators will now obtain the financial records. The police say these documents will help uncover the truth behind the allegations against Sowore.
