‘We need to pay salaries’ — Benue asks court to unfreeze its bank accounts

The Benue state government has appealed to a federal high court in Abuja to unfreeze all its bank accounts.

TheCable had reported that the court issued an interim order authorising the freezing of the state government’s bank accounts over its involvement in securing a “N333 million loan” in 2008.

The order was given following an ex-parte motion brought by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

In a court session on Thursday, Terkura Pepe, counsel to the Benue government, asked for the interim order to be set aside because it has “incapacitated” the state.

Pere said the state needs access to the money in its bank accounts to meet the “incessant security challenges” facing Benue.

“That the said sweeping order freezing and attaching all bank accounts of Benue State Government is so far-reaching that the Consolidated Revenue Account of Benue State has been frozen,” Pere said.

“That there are incessant security challenges in Benue State like in all parts of Nigeria, and funds are required to meet these challenges.

“That salaries of workers and pensions in the state cannot be paid due to the interim order.

“That the entire executive, judicial and legislative arms of Benue State Government have also been crippled by the interim order, as judges, judicial workers, legislators and staff or parliament cannot be paid until the interim order is vacated.

“That Benue state government has been incapacitated by the interim order. That the state cannot respond to any of the sundry security challenges and fulfil its daily operational needs.

“That it is in the interest of justice for the motion on notice filed by the Benue state government to be heard urgently or given accelerated hearing, before the next adjourned date of 22/11/2021.”

Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, said he is willing to unfreeze only the salary account of Benue workers.

He then stood down the matter to allow Val Igboanusi, counsel to AMCON, and Pere to determine which account is for workers’ salary.

The judge adjourned the matter to Friday, warning that if the state government failed to resolve the matter with AMCON before November 22, the initial adjourned date, he would issue an order refreezing the account again.