• CBN places ‘post no debit’ restriction on pharmacist’s account

• Lawyer accuses Nigeria Immigration Service of stopping her trip abroad

• Federal Government’s panel gets 160 petitions, begins sitting today

There were strong indications on Tuesday that the Federal Government had begun a clampdown on promoters of #EndSARS protests by freezing their bank accounts.

Some #EndSARS promoters, who spoke separately to The PUNCH, said their banks informed them that the Central Bank of Nigeria had directed that their accounts should be frozen.

Last months, youths calling for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police protested for two weeks in major cities of the country.

On Tuesday, some promoters of the protests said their accounts had been frozen for the past two weeks.

The CBN, according to multiple complaints received by The PUNCH, reportedly instructed banks to place a ‘Post No Debit’ restriction on the accounts.

The banks, it was learnt, were able to implement the directive by tracking the ‘narration’ of transactions.

Bank transactions that included the narration #EndSARS or End SARS were immediately flagged while such accounts receiving funds were frozen.

Speaking to The PUNCH, a pharmacist, Bassey Israel, who was in charge of the #EndSARS medical team in Port Harcourt, said his account with Access Bank marked 003397XXXX had remained frozen since October 15.

According to him, when he learnt of the development, he went to the bank to find out the reason for it. Israel said he was informed by a bank officer that the directive came from the apex bank.

He said, “I am in charge of End SARS medical team in Port Harcourt and we had people donating for medical supplies, food, water, ambulance services and these donations were made directly into my account and of course these donations had End SARS descriptions so I think that was how they were able to flag my account. I noticed that on October 15, I was trying to make a debit transaction on my account and noticed that there was a restriction.

“So, I called the bank and I was told that there was indeed a restriction but I should go to any branch near me and when I did so, the branch manager sent a mail to the branch where I opened the account. The response to the mail was that there was a directive from the CBN to restrict the account.

“The lady was surprised and even asked me if I had any issue with the CBN and I responded that if I had any issue with the CBN, I wouldn’t be in the bank in the first place, I would be on the run. I asked what could be done and she gave me no answer. She had to show me the mail on her computer which I read. It was directly from the CBN and it read, ‘Place this account on PND.”

Israel said, “I know many persons that have this same challenge.”

Israel said the money in the frozen account was a substantial sum.

Another #EndSARS protester told one of our correspondents that she had not been able to access her account and had been informed that it was frozen.

She, however, wished to remain anonymous for fear of being victimised by the government.

One of the promoters of the #EndSARS movement, Feyikemi Abudu, also confirmed in a tweet that the accounts of several persons involved in the protests had been frozen.

The acting Spokesman for the CBN, Abdulmumin Isa, who was first contacted last week on the telephone, asked the correspondent to give him some time.

However, after one week of waiting, Isa had yet to provide any information on the matter.

Also, as of the time of sending this report at 8pm on Tuesday, he had yet tThe Spokesman for Access Bank, Abdul Imoyo, said he could not make comments on individual accounts of customers for confidentiality reasons.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Immigration Service on Monday prevented a promoter of the #EndSARS movement, Modupe Odele, from travelling.

Although the NIS officers did not disclose the reason for their action, it is believed that the action was taken because of her alleged role in the #EndSARS protests.

When asked if others had similar problems, Israel said, “I know many persons that have this same challenge.”

Israel said the money in the frozen account was a substantial sum.

Another #EndSARS protester told one of our correspondents that she had not been able to access her account and had been informed that it was frozen.

She, however, wished to remain anonymous for fear of being victimised by the government.

One of the promoters of the #EndSARS movement, Feyikemi Abudu, also confirmed in a tweet that the accounts of several persons involved in the protests had been frozen.

The acting Spokesman for the CBN, Abdulmumin Isa, who was first contacted last week on the telephone, asked the correspondent to give him some time.

However, after one week of waiting, Isa had yet to provide any information on the matter.

Also, as of the time of sending this report at 8pm on Tuesday, he had yet tThe Spokesman for Access Bank, Abdul Imoyo, said he could not make comments on individual accounts of customers for confidentiality reasons.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Immigration Service on Monday prevented a promoter of the #EndSARS movement, Modupe Odele, from travelling.

Although the NIS officers did not disclose the reason for their action, it is believed that the action was taken because of her alleged role in the #EndSARS protests.

Odele, had through her Twitter handle, @Mochievous, mobilised her 219,000 followers during the protests.

She had also ensured that free legal aid was given to persons who were unjustly arrested during the demonstrations.

Confirming the development in a newsletter sent out on Monday, the lawyer said she was on her way to the Maldives to celebrate her birthday when she was accosted by immigration officers.

She wrote, “For my birthday, I had planned a trip to the Maldives. It was really for a break as the events of the last three weeks have exhausted my mind and body in a way I have never been exhausted in my life.

“I went to the airport, passed through immigration, and while I was putting my bags through the body and baggage scanner, the immigration officer who had previously cleared me, called me back. He told me he had orders from above to detain me.

“Okay, at this point I’m like excuse me, my flight is in an hour. On what grounds are you detaining me?” He didn’t respond. Instead, he goes to his computer where he typed in my name, and something that looked like a ‘wanted poster’ popped up on the portal.

“He blocked my view so I couldn’t see most of it but I saw some of it. And it read something like – ‘This person is under investigation by XYZ Intelligence Agency. If seen, they should be apprehended on sight.’”

Odele said she was detained while her passport was seized by the officers and she was made to miss her flight.

The Spokesman for the NIS, Sunday James, said he did not have any information on the matter but promised to find out.

There were reports that the Federal Government had begun going after notable persons in the #EndSARS protests and had placed some of them on a ‘no fly list.’

However, the Federal Ministry of Interior denied the allegation, saying it did not generate any ‘no fly list.”

Buhari displaying traits of a dictator – #EndSARS protesters

Reacting to the reported freezing of bank accounts belonging to supporters of the campaign, the #EndSARS protesters said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was simply displaying the traits of a dictator.

A member of the group, Dayo Ariyo-Atoye in an interview with The PUNCH, said it was unfortunate that Buhari’s regime would take extrajudicial measures to curtail the #EndSARS campaign.

He stated, “What we have seen is worrisome and totally condemnable and unfortunate. It is not impossible that this government can take an illegal measure to curtail the #EndSARS campaign, especially now that the northern irredentists are calling for a crackdown on social media and free speech.

“So, it is not unexpected that this government can do it. As a military head of state, General Buhari did it. As a civilian, he is also showing the same traits of military dictatorship.”

On what the #EndSARS movement would do, Ariyo-Atoye said his group would request foreign governments to repatriate the families of all government officials living abroad.

“If the government has compiled names of protesters to stop them from leaving the country in violation of their rights, we may compile the names of their family members in foreign countries and seek visa ban for the leaders. We would write to the foreign governments to repatriate their family members living abroad,” he stated.

Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/fg-clamps-down-on-endsars-promoters-freezes-accounts/%3famp=1

Me trying to figure out if this country is a shithole or a zoo

Ciao

government of the fiful an for the fiful an by the fiful...last last god go revolute this country from the hands of our Pharos....the Israelites treatment will be so amazing,the abokinerians want to kill us with one nijeria

Interesting times ahead


Buhari can never change. There's a reason Fela called him an "ANIMAL IN HUMAN SKIN".

The Lekki shooting is akin to the shooting that took place in Kalakuta republic.

I admonish every one to listen to that track by Fela, we will understand that history is repeating itself.


A leopard can never change it's spot.

The federal government doesn't know what they have gotten themselves into.

This would definitely be the beginning of a second wave of protests that will shake this nation to it foundation.

They are cooking Soup again!

And the tyranny continues. it seems this government doesn't want to toe the path of peace, they shouldn't complain when another round of agitation starts and this time will be more devastating than the last one

This government God help us !!

Nice one.

APC

Mancrossfire:
The federal government doesn't know what they have gotten themselves into.

This would definitely be the beginning of a second wave of protests that will shake this nation to it foundation.

See as this one Dey chest beat online. You no participate for the previous protest and you won't take part in any future protest (if it ever happen) you Dey make mouth online.

There they go again.This government is a curse upon this nation from inception.Just imagine all these lawlessness

BIGGESThead6:


See as this one Dey chest beat online. You no participate for the previous protest and you won't take part in any future protest (if it ever happen) you Dey make mouth online.

Well I wouldn't blame you cos this is a faceless forum hence you don't know whom you mentioned.

This is why you don't keep money in Nigeria. I've learnt my lesson

This isn't democracy but full blown military dictatorship. This is evil been done by the fulani led FG

Let them continue, what's coming there way EndSARS will be a child's play

They jst want to turn the rest of Nigerians to zombies jst like their Alimajiries in the north

Harassing protesters to scare Nigerians from future protests...what manner of dictatorship I'd this? That was how they deny generating lists and posters of people they plan to deal with; but we've learnt that whatever they deny vehemently is the truth

In late B.I.G's voice : I like that

backnbeta:
Harassing protesters to scare Nigerians from future protests...what manner of dictatorship I'd this? Just doing anyhow

So who should be responsible for the looting and destruction of properties?

They should all be arrested and jailed

What is the useless protest all about? Can't we ever learn?

All of those condemning the government are very stupid. In the end, when "hoodlums" hide under this protest to create problems, you say it is government sponsored.

Senseless hypocrites

Useless government, they are only good at oppressing the people. If you are an experienced teacher and reside around ayobo, bada Lagos check my signature for my contact .Requirement O level ,OND or NCE

we left the street too early

it's not too late to go back in the streets

Fahdiga:
And the tyranny continues. it seems this government doesn't want to toe the path of peace, they shouldn't complain when another round of agitation starts and this time will be more devastating than the last one

Op when you become president let unscrupulous elements destroy your tenure, Op I want to assure you non of them will go unpunished