A businessman and self-described political figure, Mr Tunde Omosebi, has filed a suit demanding £990 trillion in damages from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, and several others over an alleged breach of his fundamental rights.
Filed before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the suit also seeks an additional £99 trillion in exemplary damages. Omosebi, who referred to himself as “His Majesty,” listed the Chief Executive Officers of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), and Zenith Bank as co-defendants, alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/766/2024, Omosebi claims the defendants denied him access to his corporate and personal accounts for seven months, resulting in what he termed “traumatic torture.” He also seeks the conversion of the CBN to the “Reserve Bank of Nigeria,” and the transformation of Nigerian banks allegedly involved in financial irregularities into a new institution he called “DRIG Bank.”
Among other reliefs, Omosebi requested a court order for the payment of £990 trillion as compensation for the alleged breach of his fundamental rights, £99 trillion in exemplary damages, 10 per cent interest on the total amount, and ₦5 million as the cost of the suit.
In a statement attached to the application, Omosebi asserted that he is the “Chairman, Federal Executive Council and Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” claiming he oversees projects and investments that entitle him to compensation.
He alleged that UBA failed to credit a promised $50 million to his account, that over £500 billion of his funds remain unaccounted for by the CBN and the listed commercial banks, that the CBN governor committed perjury by presenting to the public a document he claimed was falsely attributed to him, and that his constitutional rights and several industrial agreements were violated by the defendants.
The CBN, through its counsel, F.H. Maikano, filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the suit lacked merit and failed to disclose any valid cause of action. Similarly, lawyers representing UBA, GTB, Zenith Bank, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House urged the court to dismiss the case, citing a lack of legal standing and substantive claims against them.
Dr Sonny Ajala, SAN, who represented Zenith Bank, described the case as speculative and a mere academic exercise. He argued that Omosebi failed to show any banker-customer relationship, privity of contract, or any breach by the bank that could justify the claims. He further contended that the reliefs sought by the claimant were vague and legally unenforceable.
In response, Omosebi, who represented himself in court, maintained that he is “the Supreme Council and Chairman of FEC,” claiming global authority over national leaders, including President Bola Tinubu. He insisted that the CBN and the commercial banks breached his fundamental rights, and therefore, the court should disregard the objections and proceed with the matter.
After hearing from all parties, Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until 4 June for a ruling on the preliminary objections raised by the defendants.
(NAN)