The order followed an ex-parte application filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) in a suit marked FHC/L/MISC/589/2026, in which the two financial institutions were listed as defendants alongside one Julius Oluwafunmisho Okedele.
Justice Osiagor granted the request after hearing submissions from counsel to the DSS, Barrister Michael Bajela.
According to court documents, the application was brought pursuant to provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Act 2022.
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The DSS alleged that the disputed funds arose from a foreign exchange transaction involving First Global Logistics Services, a client of Marble Partners.
According to the agency, the funds were transferred following an arrangement for the provision of $800,000 at an agreed exchange rate of N1,407 to one dollar.
The DSS subsequently requested an order directing Access Bank to reverse $100,000 allegedly transferred to United Overseas Bank, as well as an order compelling FCMB to reverse $230,000 reportedly paid into Taichung Commercial Bank in Taiwan.
The agency further prayed that the funds be returned to the account of First Global Logistics Services domiciled with [Zenith Bank
At an earlier hearing, counsel to the DSS informed the court that the third defendant, Julius Oluwafunmisho Okedele, had undertaken to personally refund the money.
However, at the resumed proceedings on Friday, Bajela told the court that the defendant had been unable to make the refund, prompting the DSS to seek an order directing the banks to reverse the disputed funds.
During proceedings, the judge asked the third defendant whether he consented to the request by the DSS, to which he responded in the affirmative.
Justice Osiagor subsequently granted the application and ordered that the funds be reversed to the nominal complainant.
