EFCC Strikes: Court Greenlights Freeze Of 24 Bank Accounts – Full List Of Affected Individuals

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted approval for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze 24 bank accounts held across various financial institutions, following allegations of terrorism financing.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the ruling after EFCC’s counsel, Martha Babatunde, presented an ex-parte motion. The court has authorized the EFCC to freeze the accounts for a period of 90 days while investigations continue.

The motion, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1897/V/2024, was filed by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, who sought the court’s approval to freeze accounts belonging to Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, who is under investigation for kidnapping-related activities, until the investigation concludes.

Iheanacho emphasized that the accounts are being scrutinized by the EFCC for potential connections to money laundering and terrorism financing. Preliminary investigations have suggested that the accounts may be linked to individuals using virtual cryptocurrency platforms to manipulate the naira’s value and launder illicit funds.

The EFCC’s investigator, Mohammed Khalil, detailed the ongoing probe, which is part of a larger investigation initiated by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, into a syndicate targeting senior NSA operatives for ransom. Khalil reported that the operatives had received direct threats, with perpetrators providing specific details of their families and homes, along with threats of kidnapping if ransom demands were not met.

Khalil further reported that the investigation uncovered bank accounts tied to the suspects, which were allegedly being used to facilitate illegal activities, including terrorism funding. He underscored the necessity of freezing these accounts to secure the funds until the investigation and potential prosecution are completed.

The court order applies to the accounts outlined in the motion’s schedule, and Babatunde requested the court’s approval to proceed. The judge granted the motion, with a 90-day freeze on the accounts and adjourned the case until March 24, 2025, for further proceedings.