The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has granted the request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to freeze 24 bank accounts allegedly involved in terrorism financing.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had requested this action, and counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, filed the ex parte application. Some of these bank accounts are linked to one Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, who is being investigated for kidnapping, and the EFCC is looking into these accounts for potential money laundering and terrorism financing.
According to Iheanacho, 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 from unlawful activities. The senior lawyer further stated that the funds in the bank accounts are to be protected pending the conclusion of the investigation by the EFCC.
An affidavit attached to the application, deposed by Mohammed Khalil, an EFCC investigator, revealed that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had directed a team to investigate a syndicate that was threatening the lives of senior operatives by blackmailing and demanding ransom payments.
The investigator revealed that some of the operatives were threatened by members of the syndicate with abduction of their relatives, adding that they provided the home addresses, family locations, and specific movements of the operatives’ family members.
According to the officer, 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. Further intelligence has revealed that proceeds of crimes and funds for terrorist activities are covertly exchanged through these platforms,” Khali told the court.
At the court proceedings, EFCC counsel, Martha Babatunde stated that the investigation would take 90 days. Justice Nwite granted the EFCC’s request and adjourned the matter until March 24, 2025, for further mention. This move is a crucial step in combating terrorism financing and ensuring the safety of citizens. It’s worth noting that similar actions have been taken in the past, such as the freezing of bank accounts of 32 individuals and companies linked to the #EndBadGovernance protest, alleged to be involved in terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
