Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

EFCC: 24 bank accounts linked to terrorism financing freezes

POSTED ON December 31, 2024 •   BREAKING NEWS      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

A Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s request to freeze 24 bank accounts domiciled in different commercial banks over allegations bordering on terrorism financing.

It ruled that the accounts be frozen for 90 days pending the conclusion of the investigation embarked upon by the country’s anti-graft agency.

The court delivered the ruling on Monday while hearing a motion ex-parte, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1897/V/2024, brought before it by a legal practitioner, Ekele Iheanacho.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted the application after the EFCC’s lawyer, Martha Babatunde, moved an ex-parte motion to the effect, stated that the window would allow the anti-corruption agency to complete its ongoing investigations.

Iheanacho sought an order freezing the bank accounts stated in the schedule which accounts are owned by Lawrence Lucky Eromosele who is currently being investigated in a case involving kidnapping pending the conclusion of the investigation.

He said the bank accounts in respect of which the reliefs were sought are subject matters of investigation by the EFCC in relation to money laundering and terrorism financing.

The senior lawyer said the preliminary investigation conducted thus far revealed that the bank accounts are linked to persons who take advantage of the virtual cryptocurrency exchange platforms to illegally manipulate the value of naira and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities.

He said there was the need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution.

In the affidavit deposed to by Mohammed Khalil, an investigator attached to the Special Investigation Team of the EFCC domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), he said he was a member of the team assigned to investigate the matter.

He said the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, directed the team to investigate a serious threat by a syndicate threatening the lives of senior operatives of the NSA by making demands for payments of ransom.

He said on receipt of the directive, the team began investigation by conducting surveillance of the activities on these syndicates, requesting bank instruments.

Kalil said investigation revealed Lawrence Lucky Eromosele as one of the perpetrators of the crime.

According to him, the operatives received a direct threat involving their families, with the perpetrators providing the home addresses, family locations, and specific movements with a threat to kidnap following failure to remit redemption payments.

He alleged that “one unknown individual contacted an operative, demoing some monies in exchange for their freedom and that of their families.”

“Attached and marked as Exhibit EFCC 1 is the printout of the chat between one of the perpetrators and the operative.”

The officer said in a bid to mitigate some of the threats, 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,” he said.

Kalil said the order of the court was necessary to freeze the said accounts clearly described in Schedule 1 of the motion paper for which the investigation is ongoing.

Upon resumed hearing, Babatunde, who appeared for EFCC, informed the court that the motion was dated and filed on Dec. 17.

She said the motion prayed for an order freezing the bank accounts in the schedule attached to the application and that the court to grant the relief.

When Justice Nwite asked her for how long the investigation would be conducted, Babatunde said within 90 days.

The judge, who granted the prayer, adjourned the matter until March 24,, 2025 for mention.

 

READ ALSO
Nigeria at Risk: Scientist Warns of Imminent Earthquakes and Climate Disasters
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 28, 2025 0

A scientist located in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Anietie Ikott, has cautioned that Nigeria might soo...

READ ALSO
Buhari Dies in London after Brief Illness
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 13, 2025 0

Nigeria’s immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, has died in London. Buhari died on Sund...

READ ALSO
Sowore Condemns Tenure Extensions of Senior Security Officials for Violating 35-Year Service Limit
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

Human rights advocate and ex-presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, has criticized the ongoing tenur...

READ ALSO
South-West Demands Five New States and Constitutional Recognition for Traditional Rulers in Ongoing Constitutional Review
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 4, 2025 0

The demand for the establishment of five new states, the recognition of traditional rulers in the co...

READ ALSO
Federal High Court Orders Reinstatement of  Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Calls Suspension "Excessive"
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 4, 2025 0

A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Friday that the Nigerian Senate exceeded its authority by sus...

READ ALSO
Calls for Autopsy: Ondo Govt. Faces Pressure to Exhume Late Governor Akeredolu's Body
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 30, 2025 0

The Ondo State Government may need to exhume the body of the late governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, f...

READ ALSO
Tinubu to Discuss Sustainable Governance at BRICS Summit in Rio
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 29, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Saturday for the first leg of his two-p...

READ ALSO
Reps Launches Committee to Review CNG Policy Implementation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

The House of Representatives has formed an ad-hoc committee tasked with examining the Federal Govern...

OUR CHANNELS:

Raye Faces Disciplinary Action, Not Political Punishment- NYSC Clarifies
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has rejected allegations that Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguama...


E-Hailing Operators Face Mandatory Vehicle Audits Amid Safety Concerns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

The Lagos State Government has mandated a thorough inspection of all vehicles used by licensed e-hai...


FRSC Intensifies Crackdown on Motorcyclists Riding Without Helmets on Highways
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ondo State has emphasized its determination to apprehend any...


Over 600 Pilgrims Hospitalized in Iraq after Chlorine Leak
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 10, 2025 0

More than 600 pilgrims in Iraq were temporarily hospitalized due to respiratory issues after inhalin...


Youth Flee as EFCC Conducts Dramatic Raid at Obasanjo Hotel
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

Agents from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly raided the Green Legacy H...


Abia Football Fest To Hunt Future Champions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

All is set for the inaugural edition of the Abia State Football Fest (ASF), a grassroots talent-hunt...


2027: Ambode Denies Move to ADC, Declares Support For Tinubu, APC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturd...


Tinubu Conferred Chieftaincy Title In Lagos
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated the Federal Government’s co...


Police Releases Sowore from Custody 48 hours after Arrest
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

The Nigerian Police has released human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the Africa...


Combating Corruption in Nigeria is Simpler than Perceived- Peter Obi
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 11, 2025 0

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, argues that combating corruption in Nigeria...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu