The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to freeze 24 bank accounts as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged terrorism financing and money laundering.
The accounts, reportedly linked to criminal activities, will remain frozen for 90 days to allow the EFCC to conclude its probe.
Justice Emeka Nwite approved the EFCC’s request after its lawyer, Martha Babatunde, presented an ex-parte motion on behalf of the commission. The motion, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1897/V/2024, was filed by senior advocate Ekele Iheanacho.
According to the EFCC, the accounts are associated with Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, who is under investigation for kidnapping and other related offenses.
EFCC investigator Mohammed Khalil, who is part of a Special Investigation Team operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), stated in a sworn affidavit that the accounts were linked to individuals exploiting cryptocurrency platforms to launder illegal funds and manipulate naira values.
The investigation reportedly began after National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu directed the team to investigate threats from a syndicate targeting senior officials.
Khalil revealed that operatives and their families had received direct threats, including demands for ransom payments and detailed information about their movements and home addresses.
He alleged that “one unknown individual contacted an operative, demanding 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.
During the hearing, Babatunde urged the court to approve the freeze to preserve funds in the accounts while the investigation continues.
The judge, after confirming that the investigation would be completed within 90 days, granted the request and adjourned the case to March 24, 2025, for further mention.
