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The Federal High Court in Abuja has authorized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze 91 bank accounts amid allegations of fraud and terrorism financing.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order following two separate applications filed by the EFCC.
The accounts will remain frozen for 90 days to facilitate ongoing investigations.
In the first case, 24 accounts allegedly connected to terrorism financing were frozen. EFCC counsel Martha Babatunde presented the motion under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1897/V/2024, prepared by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ekele Iheanacho.
The accounts are reportedly linked to Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, a suspect under investigation for kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The EFCC’s preliminary findings suggest these accounts were used for laundering money and manipulating naira exchange rates through cryptocurrency platforms.
The investigation, led by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, also uncovered a syndicate that had issued threats and ransom demands to senior NSA officials.
EFCC investigator Mohammed Khalil identified Eromosele as a central figure in these activities.
Justice Nwite approved the EFCC’s request and set March 24, 2025, for the next hearing.
In the second case, the court approved the freezing of 67 accounts linked to an alleged N52.9 million fraud.
Babatunde, representing the EFCC, presented the motion under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1895/V/2024, filed by Miracle Anameze.
The court reviewed the evidence and granted the request, setting the next hearing for the same date, March 24, 2025.