#ENDSARS: Central Bank of Nigeria Allegedly Summons Flutterwave, Cuts Off Donation Accounts

It appears agencies of the federal government of Nigeria are seeking strategic means to frustrate the support mechanism of the on-going #ENDSARS movement across the country.

According to a Twitter user, Fintech platform, Flutterwave has allegedly been summoned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

https://twitter.com/LaseTawak/status/1315974243344056321

This is possibly with an intent to seek answers for its part in the fundraising process as well as providing a way for other people to donate to the #ENDSARS protest.

Recall that Flutterwave first raised an inhouse donation of N2 million to help take care of the medical bills for the people injured at the protests. The donation has since then been opened to the members of the public who have contributed well over 12 million Naira since.

Update on the @theflutterwave fund so far:
N10,262,703 🇳🇬
$6,040 🇺🇸
£583 🇬🇧
CAD1,300 🇨🇦
GHS715 🇬🇭
AUD105 🇦🇺
ZAR400 🇿🇦
EUR675
CZK500 🇨🇿
AED100 🇦🇪

N2m was disbursed for hospital bills for Joy
N1m is being disbursed to the family of Jimoh

/1

— FK. (@fkabudu) October 11, 2020

The online community have taken turns to condemn the update ever since:

Imagine the CBN summoning flutterwave!! That should tell you the kind of country we are in!! The impunity is oozing right in our faces!! We must win this one else the suffering has only just began!!Nigerian Youths have had enough!! #SARSMUSTENDNOW

— MrMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) October 13, 2020

Similarly, a feminist group, the Feminist Coalition has reported that its bank account being used for donations has been blocked while the link being used to donate through Flutterwave has been deactivated.

https://twitter.com/feminist_co/status/1315990586898485248?s=20

The group has since asked people to donate using bitcoin:

If you still want to donate here’s our BTC address: 1CWdxSTKang1toEv2an1AY3z8cuwiapyno#SARSMUSTEND https://t.co/oE1FNGmbfg

— feministcoalition (@feminist_co) October 13, 2020

Reactions

There are different questions on social media as to why exactly the government has summoned Flutterwave concerning the protest because the act of peaceful protesting is legal and allowed by Section 40 of the Amended 1999 constitution.

This better be sarcasm.

— C|M (@charlesmafua) October 13, 2020

@DrJoeAbah mentioned conflict resolution why suppression is on going… Fierce looking police still harassing people. @NigeriaGov using state institution as oppressive tool. #endsars #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria end of all form of oppression not by mere words but by action.

— itiroro (@Itiroro) October 13, 2020

The #ENDSARS protest demands the nullification of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) after many citizens have suffered atrocities at the hand of the group which was originally created to combat robbery.

Reacting to the development, tech influencer, Victor Asemota, replied that he is checking out the issue to find out what Flutterwave is being summoned for.

Trying to get to the bottom of it.

— Osaretin Victor Asemota (@asemota) October 13, 2020

Nigerians have pledged their support for the fintech company and others who have stood by the youths in the demand for a presidential order to completely eliminate SARS, stop police brutality and attend to all of the 5 goals of the #ENDSARSNOW protest.