The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld an N85 million award against Zenith Bank Plc and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the freezing of a law firm’s bank account based on an invalid court order.

A three-member panel, led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, unanimously dismissed an appeal filed by Zenith Bank, ruling that it lacked merit.

The bank had challenged the July 16, 2025 judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, delivered by Justice S.U. Bature, in a suit filed by Paulyn O. Abhulimen (SAN), on behalf of Abhulimen & Co.

The dispute arose after the law firm’s Zenith Bank account was placed on Post No Debit (PND) in early 2024, preventing transactions. The bank later informed Abhulimen that the restriction was based on an order obtained by the police from a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mararaba Gurku, Nasarawa State.

Justice Bature had ruled that the magistrate’s court lacked the jurisdiction to issue an order freezing the account and faulted Zenith Bank for acting on the order.

The judge also criticised the bank for failing to promptly notify the customer that the account had been restricted, describing the action as a breach of its duty of care.

The High Court ordered Zenith Bank to lift the PND and publish an unreserved apology to Abhulimen & Co. in two national newspapers and on its website.

It also awarded N60 million in general damages and N25 million as legal costs against Zenith Bank and the NPF, jointly and severally.

The Court of Appeal’s decision means the N85 million award and other orders made by the High Court remain in force.