You Won’t Believe Why Sowore Is Taking GT Bank To Court

The lawsuit was filed by his attorney, Inibehe Effiong, at the Federal High Court in Lagos. It alleges that GTB froze Sowore’s accounts without valid grounds or prior notification.

Sowore, who opened his accounts in 2015 while representing the African Action Congress (AAC) in the presidential race, asserts that the freeze has led to significant financial difficulties, disrupting his business operations and daily life.

Effiong characterized the account freeze as unlawful, stating, “The arbitrary freezing of my client’s accounts without due process is not only illegal but also a blatant violation of his fundamental rights.”

Sowore is demanding that GTB lift the freeze on his accounts immediately and compensate him with ₦100 million for the damages incurred.

Despite multiple complaints and a formal demand letter sent to the bank, Sowore claims he has been unable to access his funds, forcing him to borrow money for his expenses.

The lawsuit specifies that all of Sowore’s accounts—including current, savings, and debit card accounts—have remained inaccessible since 2019.

Additionally, Sowore seeks a court order to prevent GTB from unlawfully interfering with his accounts in the future and to cover the costs associated with the legal proceedings.

Expressing his frustration, Sowore highlighted the financial embarrassment and significant impact the account restrictions have had on his business and personal life.

The charges state, “We declare that the Respondent’s act of freezing and restricting the Applicant’s accounts is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void, and a breach of the Applicant’s right to property as guaranteed by Section 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act LFN 2010.”

The lawsuit includes demands for:

• An order to lift the restrictions on Sowore’s accounts.
• A perpetual injunction preventing GTB from unlawfully interfering with his accounts.
• Payment of ₦100 million in general damages for the unlawful freezing of his accounts.
• Coverage of the costs incurred in prosecuting the lawsuit.
• Any other orders the court deems fit in the circumstances of the case.

Sowore asserts that for years, specifically since 2019, all the aforementioned accounts he opened with GTB have remained frozen and inaccessible. He claims the bank has failed to provide any satisfactory explanation for the restrictions imposed on his accounts despite his numerous complaints.

Through his attorney, Iboroabasi Ntong of Inibehe Effiong Chambers, Sowore sent a demand letter on April 23, 2024, requesting the bank lift the restrictions and compensate him for the extended inability to conduct banking transactions, which has adversely affected his legitimate business activities.

The case is set to advance at the Federal High Court, where Sowore is pursuing both financial compensation and the restoration of his banking privileges.