A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to freeze 24 bank accounts across various banks, following allegations of terrorism financing.
Justice Emeka Nwite approved the EFCC’s ex parte application, allowing the commission to freeze the specified accounts for 90 days pending the conclusion of its investigation.
The accounts in question are linked to Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, who is under investigation for involvement in kidnapping activities. The EFCC suspects that these accounts have been used for money laundering and financing terrorism, particularly through the manipulation of the naira via cryptocurrency platforms.
An affidavit submitted by EFCC investigator Mohammed Khalil, attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), revealed that a syndicate had been threatening senior operatives by blackmailing them and demanding ransom payments. The threats included detailed information about the operatives’ home addresses and family members, indicating a serious security breach.
During the court proceedings, EFCC counsel Martha Babatunde indicated that the investigation would require 90 days to complete. Judge Nwite granted the EFCC’s request and scheduled the next hearing for March 24, 2025, to review the progress of the investigation.
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