The Federal High Court in Abuja, under the leadership of Justice Emeka Nwite, has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the authority to freeze 24 bank accounts linked to alleged terrorism financing. This ruling follows an ex parte application filed by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, who explained that the accounts were involved in illegal activities such as money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
One of the accounts is reportedly linked to Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, an individual under investigation for kidnapping. Iheanacho noted that these accounts were allegedly used to facilitate the manipulation of Nigeria’s currency through cryptocurrency platforms, with funds believed to be connected to criminal enterprises.
The EFCC emphasized that the freezing of these accounts was necessary to protect the funds while the investigation continues. The affidavit supporting the application was sworn by Mohammed Khalil, an EFCC investigator working with the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. Khalil’s testimony revealed that the funds in the targeted bank accounts were involved in criminal activities, including extortion and blackmail targeting NSA operatives.
Intelligence gathered during the investigation uncovered a syndicate that was not only threatening the lives of security operatives but also extorting them by demanding ransom payments. The investigation revealed that some operatives were threatened with the abduction of their family members, with specific details about their families being provided to the syndicate.
As part of the ongoing probe, the EFCC is looking into how funds for terrorism are being channeled covertly through these accounts. During the court proceedings, EFCC counsel Martha Babatunde stated that the investigation would take approximately 90 days to complete. Justice Nwite granted the EFCC’s request and adjourned the case until March 24, 2025, for a mention.
