A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has issued an order freezing the accounts of the Oyo State Government in 10 commercial banks in the country.

Justice Anitte Ebong issued the order in a ruling on a garnishee proceeding initiated by former council chiefs sacked on May 29, 2019, by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The former council chiefs in 2021 got an N4.9bn judgment against Makinde and other officials and agencies of the state.

The garnishee proceeding, led by Bashorun Ajuwon, was with the intent to recover the balance of N3.5bn, which is outstanding from the actual judgment sum, from which Makinde paid only N1.5bn in 2022.

In a ruling, Justice Ebong ordered the banks to file affidavits and attend the court on the next adjourned date to show cause why the garnishee orders granted should not be made absolute.

The judge awarded N300,000 as a cost against the judgment debtors, ordered that a copy of the order be served on Makinde and others, and adjourned until January 5 next year for a hearing.