Affidavit Fraud Allegations: High Court exposes Jaiz Bank’s deceptive claims over debtor assets
The premier non-interest financial institution in Nigeria, Jaiz Bank PLC, is facing severe regulatory and judicial backlash following an alleged failure to comply with a definitive judgment enforcement order issued by the High Court of Kano State.
The dispute arises from a Garnishee Order Absolute granted on January 8, 2026, by the High Court in Suit No: K/M1266/2025 between Yahaya Usman (the Judgment Creditor) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (the Judgment Debtor). The order legally bound Jaiz Bank to turn over the judgment sums held in the debtor’s account to the creditor’s legal representatives, Bright Attorneys.
Allegations of Judicial Subterfuge
In an official demand notice served on the bank’s Tafawa Balewa Road branch in Kano, Counsel to the Judgment Creditor, Usman Umar Fari, Esq., accused the financial institution of deliberately engineering delays to aid the Judgment Debtor.
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According to the legal firm, Jaiz Bank chose to employ delaying tactics, providing a “subterfuge” that allowed the Judgment Debtor to initiate a series of obstructive and frivolous applications in court. The firm further alleged that the bank had previously filed an Affidavit to Show Cause claiming it did not hold assets belonging to the Judgment Debtor—a claim the High Court actively found to be false before finalizing the Garnishee Order Absolute.
Dismantled Legal Defense
The bank’s reliance on pending applications to stall payment has reportedly collapsed. The High Court has systematically dismissed the two motions brought forward by the Judgment Debtor.
The first application to set aside the judgment was thrown out with a punitive cost of ₦200,000.00 awarded in favor of the Judgment Creditor.
The second application for a Stay of Execution was dismissed on June 26, 2026, with an additional ₦50,000.00 cost slammed against the debtor.
With all legal impediments removed, the decree holders maintain that the bank has no further legal basis to withhold the funds.
Committal Proceedings Initiated
Following the expiration of a 48-hour ultimatum delivered on July 2, 2026, Bright Attorneys moved to initiate committal proceedings against the bank’s management. On July 3, 2026, the law firm formally applied to the Registrar of High Court 17, Kano, for the issuance of Form 48 (Notice of Consequence of Disobedience to Order of Court) against the financial institution.
In addition to the contempt of court proceedings, the legal team has threatened to escalate the matter to federal law enforcement and financial regulators.
“We will report the bank and the specific deponents to the relevant law enforcement agencies for lying on oath,” the firm stated, asserting that the bank’s conduct constitutes perjury and interference with the administration of justice.
The law firm also confirmed plans to file a formal petition before the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee to demand strict disciplinary actions against Jaiz Bank for unethical banking practices that undermine the integrity of the judicial process.
Copies of the legal actions have been dispatched to the Head Office Legal Department of Jaiz Bank PLC and the High Court Registrar. As of press time, corporate communications or legal representatives from Jaiz Bank have yet to issue an official reaction to the pending Form 48 application.
