The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has refused to accept a letter from the Take-It-Back Movement, a pro-democracy group, demanding that their account be unfrozen.
Naturenex understands that the account was allegedly frozen on the instructions of Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), due to the group’s call for #EndBadGovernance protests.
The law firm of human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, wrote to UBA on Friday, demanding the immediate reopening of the account.
The firm threatened to take legal action against the bank if it fails to comply within 24 hours.
However, sources told SaharaReporters on Monday that UBA refused to accept the letter from the Take-It-Back Movement’s lawyers.
“UBA refused to accept the letter from TIB Movement’s lawyers demanding that the frozen account of the organisation should be unfrozen,” a source said.
The letter demanded a formal explanation for the freezing of the account and threatened legal action if the bank fails to comply.
The letter from the law firm reads, “We are Solicitors to Take It Back Global Ltd/ Gte, a corporate entity duly incorporated in Nigeria and hereinafter referred to as our “Client” and on whose behalf we write this letter.
“We have been informed by our Client that it opened the following account with United Bank for Africa: Account Name: Take It Back Account Number: 2109193911.
“We were further informed by our Client today, 26th of July, 2024, that it has been unable to access the above described account, the account having remained frozen by United Bank for Africa and rendered inoperable.
“Up till the point of writing this letter to you, neither United Bank for Africa nor any of its staff has offered any formal explanation in respect of the restriction on our Client’s account.
“In view of the above, we are by this letter demanding that you offer a well-detailed, formal and immediate written explanation for the freezing of our Client’s account within 24 hours of the receipt of this letter.
“Please take notice that in the event that you refuse or fail to comply with the above demand within the stipulated time, we have the firm instruction of our Client to institute necessary legal actions against you.”
