Flaunting the Law: Jaiz Bank risks public trust, undermines judiciary in landmark case
Jaiz Bank PLC is embroiled in a major legal crisis following allegations of deliberate evasion, dishonesty, and blatant disregard for the rule of law. The financial institution is accused of defying a valid court order and misleading the judiciary under oath regarding assets held in its custody.
The controversy stems from a definitive Garnishee Order Absolute granted by the High Court of Kano State on January 8, 2026, in Suit No: K/M1266/2025 between Yahaya Usman (the Judgment Creditor) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (the Judgment Debtor). The order explicitly mandated Jaiz Bank to release judgment sums held in the account of the Judgment Debtor directly to the law firm representing the creditor.
Allegations of perjury and “subterfuge”
According to a demand letter signed by Usman Umar Fari, Esq., Principal Partner at Bright Attorneys, rather than complying with the absolute order of the court, Jaiz Bank chose to execute strategic delays. The firm asserts that these delays provided a tactical window—or “subterfuge”—for the Judgment Debtor to initiate a series of obstructive legal maneuvers to block the enforcement.
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The situation is further compounded by serious allegations of financial dishonesty. Legal documents reveal that Jaiz Bank had previously deposed to an Affidavit to Show Cause, claiming it did not hold or possess the assets of the Judgment Debtor. However, the High Court actively found the bank’s claims to be completely false before cementing the order into an absolute mandate.
Legal experts state that maintaining a false position under oath constitutes a severe breach of banking ethics and public trust, transforming a routine civil enforcement into a criminal concern.
Judicial shield completely dismantled
In an attempt to evade immediate payment, the bank reportedly relied heavily on the pendency of two separate motions filed by the Judgment Debtor. However, that legal shield has now been thoroughly dismantled by the judiciary.
In the first application, the motion seeking to set aside the initial judgment was flatly dismissed by the court, which additionally slammed a ₦200,000.00 punitive cost against the Judgment Debtor.
The second application, a motion seeking a Stay of Execution was similarly thrown out on June 26, 2026, carrying an additional punitive cost of ₦50,000.00.
With both applications legally extinguished, Bright Attorneys notes that Jaiz Bank has run completely out of excuses to withhold the judgment sum.
Criminal reporting and CBN intervention
In a final warning issued to the Branch Manager of Jaiz Bank on Tafawa Balewa Road in Kano, dated July 2, 2026, Bright Attorneys handed down a strict 48-hour ultimatum for full compliance.
Following a failure to comply, the law firm moved aggressively on July 3, 2026, writing to the Registrar of High Court 17, Kano, officially requesting the issuance of Form 48—the notice of consequence of disobedience to an order of court. This is the critical baseline step required to launch committal proceedings, which can lead to the imprisonment of complicit bank officials in contempt proceedings.
Should the financial institution persist in its non-compliance, the legal team has vowed to trigger a multi-pronged offensive, including criminal prosecution which comprises lodging official complaints with law enforcement agencies against the bank and its specific deponents for the serious offences of perjury, interference with the administration of justice, and giving false information to a public officer.
The team also vowed to file a petition before the Bankers’ Committee and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) demanding severe disciplinary actions against Jaiz Bank for unethical practices undermining the judiciary.
“Your bank deliberately used the pendency of those frivolous applications as an excuse to evade timely compliance with a valid court order,” the demand letter reads. “Do not treat this letter with the usual levity.”
As of press time, copy notifications have been dispatched to the Head Office Legal Department of Jaiz Bank PLC, the High Court of Kano State, and co-counsel Ibrahim Boyi & Company, signaling a coordinated legal clampdown on the premier non-interest banking institution in Nigeria.
