The Federal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from paying N4 billion in promissory notes issued as compensation for victims of the 2001 Zaki-Biam massacre.

Justice Joshua Raphael Egbe, who gave the interim order on September 30, held that the status quo be maintained pending the hearing of a motion on notice filed by the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Chris Alashi, had approached the court via an ex parte application, contending that the tranche of N4 billion was due for payment on October 9, 2026, and that its disbursement before the determination of the substantive suit would render the case nugatory.

Alashi explained that the suit has its roots in the military invasion of Zaki-Biam and other communities in 2001, for which victims sued the Federal Government and obtained a N41.8 billion judgment.

He said while the judgment was on appeal, the Federal Government opted for an out-of-court settlement, leading to a consent judgment of N8 billion entered by the Court of Appeal.

According to him, a dispute arose over the issuance of promissory notes for the N8 billion settlement, as persons who were not part of the original judgment creditors allegedly obtained the notes, necessitating the application for a preservative order ahead of the October 9 maturity date.

Ruling on the application, Justice Egbe granted the reliefs sought and ordered the parties to preserve the subject matter pending the hearing of the motion on notice within 14 days.

Counsel to the seventh defendant, P.N. Joji, who held brief for Darlington Onyekwere, prayed the court for time to file a response to the processes served on his client.

There was no opposition from counsel to the defendants.

Counsel to the CBN, Prof. Chukwuemeka Anyogu, said the apex bank had no objection to the order and would comply fully with the directive of the court.

“The Central Bank has nothing to do with it. Central Bank is an institution that will go by the law. All Central Bank will do is obey the law. Where the court says we should not pay, we will not pay,” Anyogu said.

The case was adjourned to October 14, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.

It would be recalled that the Zaki-Biam case stems from the October 2001 military operation in Benue State following the killing of 19 soldiers.

Survivors and families of victims sued for compensation, leading to a 2007 Federal High Court award of N41.8 billion, which was later reduced to N8 billion via a consent judgment after negotiations with the Federal Government. (The Nation)