Court freezes 24 bank accounts over alleged terrorism financing

The federal high court in Abuja has granted the request made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze 24 bank accounts over alleged terrorism financing.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, granted the ex parte application filed by the anti-graft agency.

THE APPLICATION

Ekele Iheanacho, the counsel to the EFCC, filed the ex parte application.

According to NAN, Iheanacho said some of the bank accounts attached to the application belong to Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, who is being investigated in a case involving kidnapping.

The senior lawyer said the bank accounts are being investigated by the agency in relation to money laundering and terrorism financing.

He said the bank accounts are linked to proceeds of illegal manipulation of the naira through cryptocurrency platforms and laundering of funds of unlawful activities.

The lawyer added that the funds in the bank accounts are to be protected pending the conclusion of the investigation by the EFCC.

The affidavit attached to the application was deposed by Mohammed Khalil, an EFCC investigator attached to the office of the national security adviser (NSA).

In the affidavit, Khali said Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA, directed a team to investigate a syndicate threatening the lives of senior operatives attached to his office by blackmailing and making demands for payments of ransom.

The investigator said some of the operatives were threatened by members of the syndicate with abduction of their relatives.

He added that they provided the home addresses, family locations, and specific movements of the operatives’ family members.

The officer said the team had identified bank accounts linked to the individuals making the threats.

“Attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 2 are the bank statements of one of the suspects,” Khali told the court.

“Further intelligence has revealed that proceeds of crimes and funds for terrorist activities are covertly exchanged through these platforms.”

During the court proceedings, Martha Babatunde, the counsel who appeared for the EFCC, said the investigation would take 90 days.

The judge granted the prayer of the anti-graft agency and adjourned the matter to March 24, 2025, for a mention.