UK Court Authorises SSS Victim to Seize $21m from CBN Account with JP Morgan in New York

A court in the United Kingdom (UK) has authorised a British-Nigerian, Louis Williams Emovbira, allegedly abused and defrauded by the State Security Service (SSS) in 1986, to seize $21 million and nearly £20,000 from Nigeria’s central bank account domiciled with the firm, JP Morgan in the United States, according to court filings.

By the judgment of Justice Mary Clare Moulder, Mr Emovbira has the UK’s legal backing to approach JP Morgan in New York and seize $21,231,960.74 and £19,763.130 from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s account domiciled in the top American bank.

In a June 26, 2023 lawsuit filed before the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Emovbira argued his entitlement to the judgement fund from the savings of Nigeria at JP Morgan. “Plaintiff has obtained (and is entitled to the recognition) of a money judgment in its favour and against the Nigerian government defendant”, his lawyers said.

Emovbira had obtained the judgment from the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice on November 9, 2018, but the money had accrued a nine percent interest over a period of almost five years since the judgment was given.

According to reports, CBN’s silence on paying the owed sums caused the legal battles to linger for years until Nigeria returned to civilian rule. Then-CBN governor Charles Soludo also acknowledged the funds owed Emovbira.

Emovbira also submitted to the court a presidential directive dated July 1, 2009, and signed by Umar Yar’Adua, which asked the CBN to immediately pay the victim to avoid further ceaseless litigations over the matter.

A spokesman for the CBN did not immediately return a request seeking comments about Emovbira’s lawsuit as of the time of filing this report.