A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the authority to freeze 67 bank accounts linked to an alleged ₦52.9 million fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order after the EFCC, represented by its lawyer, Martha Babatunde, filed an ex-parte motion seeking to secure the funds during the ongoing investigation. The accounts, reportedly linked to Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, are under scrutiny for suspected money laundering and terrorism financing.
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1897/V/2024, was supported by an affidavit deposed by Mohammed Khalil, an EFCC investigator attached to the Special Investigation Team of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Khalil detailed how the accounts were connected to individuals using cryptocurrency platforms to manipulate the naira’s value and launder proceeds of criminal activities.
The investigation was launched following a directive from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, after threats were made against senior operatives of the NSA and their families by a syndicate demanding ransom payments.
According to Khalil, the perpetrators had provided specific information about the operatives’ homes, family locations, and movements, escalating the urgency of the case. He alleged that one of the suspects, identified as Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, directly threatened the operatives and demanded money in exchange for their families’ safety.
The EFCC presented evidence, including chat printouts and bank statements, linking the accounts to the alleged criminal activities. Babatunde, representing the commission, argued that freezing the accounts was essential to preserve funds potentially tied to money laundering and terrorism financing until the investigation concludes.
Justice Nwite approved the EFCC’s request to freeze the accounts for 90 days, setting the next hearing for March 24, 2025.
