The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s request to freeze 24 bank accounts over allegations of terrorism financing and money laundering.
The EFCC’s application, presented by its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), implicated the accounts in ongoing investigations tied to kidnapping and ransom payments.
The accounts, some reportedly linked to Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, are suspected of being used to launder proceeds from illegal activities and support terrorist operations.
An affidavit submitted by EFCC investigator Mohammed Khalil, working under the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed that the accounts were connected to a criminal syndicate accused of blackmailing and threatening NSA operatives.
The syndicate allegedly provided operatives’ home addresses, tracked family members’ movements, and issued ransom demands. Intelligence revealed that funds from the accounts were funneled through cryptocurrency platforms to support terrorist activities.
Bank statements from one of the suspects were tendered as evidence, marked as Exhibit EFCC 2, further linking the accounts to illicit financial flows.
The EFCC requested the freezing order to secure the funds while the investigation proceeds. Counsel Martha Babatunde informed the court that the probe is expected to last 90 days and sought the court’s approval to restrict access to the accounts during this period.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request, allowing the accounts to remain frozen pending the investigation’s conclusion. The judge adjourned the case to March 24, 2025, for further mention.
