In a ruling delivered on May 6, 2026, Justice Mukhtar Yushau granted an interlocutory injunction restraining Zenith Bank Plc, listed as the third respondent, from releasing, transferring or dealing with the sum of N1,450,287,277.96 pending the determination of the case.
The suit, marked ZMS/GS/3/2025, was filed by Samson Davies and another applicant against Jackson Ukuevo, Ronchess Group Plc, and Zenith Bank. Ukuevo and Ronchess Group are listed as first and second respondents in the matter.
According to the court order, Zenith Bank, its agents, officers, servants, privies and assigns are barred from moving any part of the disputed amount that is currently standing to the credit of the first and second respondents. The restriction will remain in place until the court hears and concludes the substantive suit.
Justice Yushau also issued directives against the first and second respondents. The judge restrained Jackson Ukuevo, Ronchess Group Plc, as well as their directors, shareholders, officers, affiliates, servants, agents and assigns from tampering with the funds. Specifically, they are prohibited from transferring, withdrawing, debiting, dissipating or otherwise dealing with the N1.45 billion kept in their accounts domiciled with Zenith Bank.
However, the court made it clear that the order is limited in scope. The judge stated that the injunction does not affect any other funds belonging to Ukuevo and Ronchess Group beyond the N1.45 billion identified as the subject matter of the dispute. The court said such additional monies can be lawfully accessed and used by the defendants as they deem fit.
In a further directive, Justice Yushau ordered the first and second respondents to refund and restore any portion of the disputed sum that may have been moved, dissipated or transferred to an affiliate company’s account with Zenith Bank during the pendency of the case. The funds, the court said, must be returned to their original state.
With these pronouncements, the court held that the applicants’ application had succeeded.
The case revolves around allegations of disputed funds running into billions of naira. While details of how the money became the subject of litigation were not fully outlined in the court’s short ruling, the freezing order is intended to preserve the amount until final judgment is delivered.
Legal representation in the matter was led by Julius Anthony, with Jamilu Shafa assisting, for the applicants. Bello Umar held the brief of Hayatuddeen Sulaiman for the first and second respondents, while J.C. Eze represented Zenith Bank as third respondent.
The Certified True Copy of the order was issued and signed by Justice Mukhtar Yushau on May 6, 2026. It was later certified by Abubakar Ibrahim, the Principal Registrar of the court.
Court observers say the decision is a significant interim step, as it prevents either side from accessing the contested funds while arguments continue. Freezing orders of this nature are usually granted to ensure that the subject matter of a dispute is not dissipated before the court can make a final decision.
The parties are expected to return to court for hearing on the main suit in the coming weeks. Until then, the N1.45 billion will remain restricted in the Zenith Bank accounts linked to Ukuevo and Ronchess Group.
Both sides have been advised by the court to refrain from any action that could undermine the integrity of the funds or frustrate the outcome of the case.
The development adds to a growing number of high-value commercial disputes being filed in Zamfara courts, as litigants seek legal protection for assets and contracts.
For now, the freeze stands, and the money will remain untouched until Justice Yushau’s court delivers its final judgment on the matter.
