The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has frozen the account of human rights organisation, Take It Back Movement, over its call for #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protests.
According to TIB Movement, its account was frozen on the instructions of Nigeria’s secret police, Department of State Services, also known as State Security Service.
The organisation has vowed to take legal action against UBA for the unlawful action if the account is not unfrozen with 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.
“We describe this action as lawless, and demand our account be unfrozen immediately within the next 24hours, without which a legal action will be instituted against @UBAGroup,” it said in a post on its X handle on Friday.
Reacting to the news, #RevolutionNow converner, Omoyele Sowore, who has also been championing the protest, described 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.”
According to SaharaReporters, organisers of the planned nationwide #DaysOfRage and #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest had written the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, requesting the release of Eagle Square between August 1 and 10, 2024, for the peaceful demonstration.
In a letter signed by Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for TIB Movement in Abuja, the protesters demanded unrestricted access to the venue 24/7 throughout the duration of the protest, and possibly even after it concludes.
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.”
