A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted an interim order sought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze at least 1, 146 bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies over allegations bordering on unauthorised dealing in foreign exchange, among others.
Other offences being investigated by the anti-graft agency bordered on money laundering and terrorism financing.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by EFCC’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, also granted the commission’s application to conclude the investigation within 90 days.
The Judge, while granting the applicant’s application as prayed held, “That an order of this honourable court is hereby made freezing the bank accounts stated in the schedule below which accounts are owned by various individuals who are currently being investigated in a case involving the offences of un-authorised dealing in foreign exchange, money laundering and terrorism financing to the extent that the investigation will be for a period of 90 days.”
The Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling which was delivered on April 24, was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
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The EFCC, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/543/2024 filed on April 24 by Iheanacho, was heard by the judge same day in the interest of national interest.
The anti-graft agency had sought the order freezing the bank accounts stated in the schedule attached to the motion pending the conclusion of the investigation on three grounds.
According to the EFCC, “The bank accounts in respect of which the reliefs are sought are subject matters of investigation by the EFCC in relation to money laundering and terrorism financing.
“That preliminary investigation conducted thus far reveals that the bank accounts are linked to persons who take advantage of the virtual cryptocurrency exchange platforms to illegally manipulate the value of Naira and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities.
“That there is need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of investigation and possible prosecution.”
The Judge adjourned the matter till July 23, 2024 for mention.
Some of the account names mentioned in the attached schedule are, Akitoye Adeyemi Ayomide with GTBank account number; 0165110025; Clyp Trading Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000331101; Clyp Consulting Ltd, Providous account number: 9401374554; and Toyetech Platforms Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000134962.
They also include Winx International Platforms Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000135055; Shutterscore Trading Platforms Ltd, Access Bank account number: 1532363954; Tradecillion Trading Ltd, Stanbic IBTC account number: 0045672922; and Nsofor Donald Nmamdi, GTBank account number: 0449088666
They equally include Kora Payments Network Ltd-Operations, UBA account number: 1022242089; Renderstack Technologies Ltd, Zenith Bank account number: 1210355120; Korex Payments Ltd, Globus account number: 5000007837; and Awe Microfinance Bank Ltd, Providous account number: 5400760781; and Victor Samuel Asuquo, Opay Digital Services Ltd account number: 9020132068.
Others are Akingbade Sabit Juwon, ECONANK account number: 3442053006; Nsofor Donald Nmamdi, Union Bank account number: 0140460572; Asuquo Victor Samuel, First Bank account number: 3153199542; Oty Ugochukwu Stanley, FCMB account number: 4039304011; Oty & Sons Global Concepts, Fidelity Bank account number: 6060410145; and Pelumi Ayandoye, Wema Bank account number: 0234852277; and David George Ajala, Fidelity Bank account number: 5090680780, among others.
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