A Federal High Court in Abuja has authorized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze 24 bank accounts across various banks, suspected of being involved in terrorism financing.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation Details
Justice Emeka Nwite approved the EFCC’s request following an ex-parte motion presented by the commission’s lawyer, Martha Babatunde. The accounts, belonging to Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, are under investigation for links to kidnapping and terrorism financing. The motion, filed by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, sought a 90-day freeze on these accounts to allow for further investigation into the matter.
Allegations of Cryptocurrency Misuse
Iheanacho detailed that initial investigations suggest these accounts were used by individuals exploiting cryptocurrency platforms to manipulate the Nigerian currency and launder money from criminal activities. The necessity to preserve the funds in these accounts was emphasized to facilitate ongoing and future legal actions.
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Investigative Insights
Mohammed Khalil, an investigator with the EFCC, provided sworn testimony that highlighted the urgency of the situation. He described how the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had instructed the investigation into threats against senior NSA operatives, involving ransom demands. The investigation uncovered direct threats, including detailed knowledge of operatives’ family locations, aimed at extortion.
Court’s Decision
Upon the evidence presented, Justice Nwite consented to the freezing of the accounts for 90 days, with the case scheduled for further mention on March 24, 2025. This decision underscores the court’s commitment to supporting law enforcement in curbing financial crimes linked to terrorism.
