Court Orders Banks to Release Sowore’s Financial Records to Police

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) permission to obtain full banking details of Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, amid an ongoing investigation into alleged terrorism financing and money laundering.

In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Emeka Nwite directed six financial institutions—United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Opay, Moniepoint, and Kuda Microfinance Bank—to provide the police with account opening documents, mandate cards, and certified statements of account covering transactions from January 2024 to date.

The order followed an ex parte motion filed by IGP’s counsel, Wisdom Madaki, in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1757/2025. The motion listed Sowore and the Sahara Reporters Media Foundation as the 1st and 2nd respondents, with the banks joined as 3rd to 8th respondents.

According to the supporting affidavit filed by Bassey Ibrahim of the Force CID Legal Section, no fewer than 26 accounts connected to Sowore—including those operated by his media foundation and the African Action Congress (AAC)—are under probe. Investigators claim intelligence reports have linked the accounts to suspicious transactions allegedly involving foreign funding.

Ibrahim maintained that access to the financial records was critical to the police investigation.

Justice Nwite, while granting the request, ruled:
“I have listened to counsel for the applicant and examined the affidavit evidence. I am satisfied that the application is meritorious. The prayer is hereby granted.”

The development marks a major step in the police probe, which has put Sowore—an opposition politician, activist, and publisher—under fresh scrutiny.