The solicitors representing the 18 Local Government Council Areas (LGA) of Edo State have issued a stern warning to banks, urging them to refrain from tampering with their official accounts. The legal representatives have emphasized the critical importance of safeguarding the official accounts belonging to these councils, urging financial institutions not to engage in any practices that may jeopardize their management.
The caution was communicated through a formal notice dispatched to banking institutions nationwide by Uzzi Law Company, representing the affected council chairmen. The document was made public on Thursday in Benin, noting that any dealings with unauthorized parties would invite serious legal repercussions.
Oluwole Uzzi, the firm’s representative, stated that banks engaging with individuals or groups not legitimately authorized by the elected council chairmen could be seen as violating existing court rulings.
“Dealing with unauthorized individuals or groups aside from the duly elected local government council chairmen would attract legal consequences,” Uzzi asserted.
He further emphasized the importance of adhering to established legal frameworks, referencing both Supreme Court and Edo High Court injunctions. Uzzi strongly urged financial institutions to disregard any attempts to open new accounts or manage existing ones without explicit written consent from the elected local government chairmen, which must be substantiated by the 18 council chairmen.
“The implications of ignoring this warning are severe, because you will not only risk facing legal action but would have damaged your reputation and compromised your relationship with the local government councils,” he cautioned, highlighting the significant risks involved.
In light of these developments, he underscored the necessity for banks to conduct thorough verifications of all transactions, ensuring that each action is sanctioned by the rightful elected chairmen. This measure, according to Uzzi, is vital for maintaining the integrity of the councils’ financial dealings during this tumultuous period.
