The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has frozen the account of the human rights organization, Take It Back (TIB) Movement, following their call for #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria.
According to TIB Movement, the account freeze was ordered by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), also known as the State Security Service. The organization has threatened legal action against UBA if the account is not unfrozen within 24 hours.
“It has now come to our attention that @UBAGroup has frozen our account on the instructions of the DSS over our involvement in the forthcoming protest,” the TIB Movement announced on its X handle on Friday. “We describe this action as lawless, and demand our account be unfrozen immediately within the next 24 hours, without which a legal action will be instituted against @UBAGroup.”
Omoyele Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow and a key figure in the protest movement, condemned the DSS as lawless. He posted on his X account, “Lawless @OfficialDSSNG will learn a hard lesson soon, and @UBAGroup, @TonyOElumelu for this act of cowardice and conspiracy, the people of Nigeria that you’re letting down at this critical moment in history will let you down soon, too! #DaysOfRage.”
SaharaReporters reported that the organizers of the planned nationwide #DaysOfRage and #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest had written to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, requesting the use of Eagle Square from August 1 to 10, 2024, for a peaceful demonstration.
In a letter signed by Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilization for TIB Movement in Abuja, the protesters demanded unrestricted access to the venue 24/7 throughout the protest and possibly beyond.
The letter read in part, “I write you as the Director of Mobilization, Take it Back Movement (TIB) to your office to grant us access to the Eagles Square between August 1st and 10th, 2024, for our #DaysOfRage, #EndBadGovernance protest.
“This request entails using this national asset day and night for the duration of the historic protest. Also, note that the protest may be prolonged beyond ten days as we embark on the protracted crisis occasioned by the ruling party.
“Further, your office must also ensure the provision of a 24-hour power supply, toilet facilities, water, and security for the convenience of Nigerian citizens who will be camped out at Eagle Square.”
