Justice A.I. Akobi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued an interim order freezing all bank accounts linked to TAK Logistics Limited, TAK Agro PLC, and their director, Thomas Etuh, over alleged debts amounting to N24.9 billion.
The order, granted on Monday, followed an ex parte application filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, on behalf of Keystone Bank Limited. In a decisive move, Justice Akobi approved a Mareva injunction, barring the defendants from accessing or dealing in any form with funds, shares, dividends, or other financial instruments tied to them, up to the total disputed amount.
As part of the ruling, all commercial banks and financial institutions holding the defendants’ accounts were instructed to preserve the current funds and submit affidavits within seven days disclosing account balances and providing detailed statements.
Additionally, the court prohibited the defendants from transferring, selling, or otherwise disposing of any movable or immovable property in their possession while the case is ongoing.
The judge also granted Keystone Bank's request for substituted service on the third defendant, Thomas Etuh, allowing the bank to serve court documents either by courier or by pasting them at his last known address.
The court emphasized that:
“The defendants, their directors, agents, privies, or representatives are hereby restrained from withdrawing, transferring, dissipating, or otherwise dealing with funds, shares, dividends, or any other financial instruments up to the sum of N24,934,741,718.91, or any part thereof, in any bank or financial institution.”
Banks were further directed to comply immediately, with mandatory filings to detail any assets tied to accounts associated with the Bank Verification Number (BVN) 22273745073.
The order, which is valid for seven days upon service, may be extended upon further direction by the court.
The matter has been adjourned until July 22, 2025, for the next hearing.
