A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Mike Aondoakaa (SAN), has denied being briefed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to specifically freeze accounts of #EndSARS promoters.
An online platform, Sahara Reporters had in a report, which went viral claimed that some lawyers representing the CBN, led by Aondoakaa, had allegedly obtained the Court order freezing the accounts of 20 #EndSARS promoters for 90 days.
The order was said to have been obtained pursuant to a motion ex- parte filed by the CBN before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
But a statement at the weekend by Aondoakaa’s Head of Chambers, Abdul Ter Kohol Esq, said the CBN did not brief the former AGF to specifically freeze the accounts of #EndSARS members as published by Sahara Reporters.
“He (Aondoakaa) is not in a position to know the membership of #EndSARS because he never received any instructions from CBN relating to #EndSARS members.
All the Documents filed at Federal High Court Abuja in respect of the case are public documents, which can be verified or obtained. CBN cannot engage Aondoakaa verbally,” the statement said.
The statement challenged the online publication that accused Aondoakaa of being hired by the CBN to freeze the #EndSARS supporters’ accounts to produce a copy of such instruction by the CBN, adding, “launching such unfair attack on the person of Chief Michael Aondoakaa appears to be pursuing long perceived personal vendetta and blackmail.”
Aondoakaa alleged that the online medium had for long held him in contempt and had published reports he claimed were not only misleading against him but also targeted at denting his reputation.
“In 2010, the same news medium reported exclusively that they have uncovered a $44million bank account opened by me in South Africa. I denied the story and reported to both the Metropolitan Police, UK and the Nigeria Police to investigate. The investigation was carried out but nothing was found against me.
“Since I was born till now, I have not visited South Africa in both my official and private engagement,” he said about his earlier encounter with the medium.
In the instant case, Aondoakaa explained that he had been offering legal services to the CBN on a wide variety of issues adding, the latest brief was in line with CBN’s statutory and routine activities.
He said there was nothing in the brief to suggest that it was targeted at the promoters of #EndSAR protests, which rocked the country recently, saying he was carrying his professional duties as a lawyer.
“In Law, even an alleged Murderer is entitled to legal representation, no matter what offence you are accused of, you are still entitled to enjoy services of a Lawyer,” he explained.
The said suit to freeze the accounts listed the 20 defendants as Bolatito Oduala, Chima Ibebunjoh, Mary Kpengwa, Gatefield Nigeria Limited, Saadat Bibi, Bassey Israel, Wisdom Obi, Nicholas Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Yusuf, Uhuo Promise, Mosopefoluwa Odeseye and Adegoke Emmanuel.
Others include Umoh Ekanem, Babatunde Segun, Mulu Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Jacob, Victor Solomon, and Idunu Williams.