The Federal High Court, Makurdi Division, Benue State, has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to halt the release of N4 billion compensation for the Zaki-Biam massacre victims. This decision was made in a suit filed by Isaga Terkula and four others against the Federal Ministry of Finance and eight other parties. The court granted an interim injunction, preventing the CBN from disbursing the funds until the issues raised in the substantive application are resolved.
According to the plaintiffs' counsel, Barrister Chris Alashi, the N4 billion tranche was scheduled for payment on October 9, 2026. However, the court intervened to prevent the dissipation of the subject matter of the suit. The plaintiffs had initially secured a N41.8 billion judgment, but the Federal Government appealed the decision and later sought an out-of-court settlement. The court has adjourned the matter to October 14, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
The Zaki-Biam litigation arose from a military operation in four local government areas of Benue State in 2001, during which scores of people were killed by soldiers deployed to the area. The incident led to a prolonged legal battle, culminating in the current court order. The plaintiffs are seeking to prevent the release of the N4 billion compensation to certain individuals who allegedly obtained promissory notes without being judgment creditors.
The court order specifically restrains the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Debt Management Office from approving or authorizing the CBN to pay the holders or beneficiaries of five promissory notes with a combined value of N4 billion. These promissory notes were issued to RHEMALAW Partners, Eze Nwa-Uwa, The Anavo Institute Limited, Chief J.K. Gadzama (SAN), and Ocha P. Ulegede.
The judge, Justice Joshua Raphael Egbe, directed that the subject matter of the suit be preserved pending the hearing of the motion on notice within 14 days. The court also restrained the CBN from dematerializing, redeeming, assigning monetary value to, or paying the beneficiaries of the promissory notes, including any financial institution or person that may have acquired an interest in them.
Counsel to the CBN, Professor Chukwuemeka Anyogu, stated that the bank had no difficulty complying with the court order. The court has adjourned the matter to October 14, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice. The plaintiffs' counsel, Barrister Chris Alashi, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, citing the need to prevent unauthorized persons from benefiting from the compensation.
The case has significant implications for the victims of the Zaki-Biam massacre and the management of compensation funds by the Federal Government. The court's decision ensures that the funds are not disbursed until the court has fully considered the issues raised in the substantive application. The case will continue on October 14, 2026, with further hearings expected.
Key points
- A Federal High Court in Benue State has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to halt the release of N4 billion compensation for the Zaki-Biam massacre victims.
- The court granted an interim injunction, preventing the CBN from disbursing the funds until the issues raised in the substantive application are resolved.
- The Zaki-Biam litigation arose from a military operation in four local government areas of Benue State in 2001, resulting in scores of deaths.
