A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a garnishee order, freezing at least 24 bank accounts belonging to the Kano State government.

The action follows a demand for N30 billion in compensation by the Incorporated Trustees of Masalachi Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association for the demolition of their shops in the state.

The court order was granted by Justice I. E. Ekwo in response to a suit filed by the shop owners and traders, who deemed the demolition illegal.

The ruling, delivered on November 28, 2023, freezes the funds of entities including the Kano State Government, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, and the Attorney General of Kano State.

The garnishee order applies to accounts such as the Kano State FAAC Account and Account No. 1019716320 at UBA and Account No. 1790249410 at Polaris Bank, totaling N30 billion to satisfy the judgment of the Federal High Court in Kano.

The judgment was dated September 29, 2023, and was enforced in favor of the judgment creditors.

Ekwo also ordered the Garnishees, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, to appear before the court to show cause, if any, why the order should not be made absolute against them.

The judgment creditors are required to serve the defendants and Garnishees at least 14 days before the next hearing, scheduled for January 18, 2024.