 has been given a permission by A Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze 67 bank a){kind=link}
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been given a permission by A Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze 67 bank accounts held in various banks due to an alleged fraud of N52.9 million.
This was approved by Justice Emeka Nwite after Martha Babatunde, the EFCC’s lawyer, presented an ex-parte motion.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the ex-parte motion, labeled FHC/ABJ/CS/1895/V/2024, was filed by Miracle Anameze.
The motion requested the court to empower the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, or any officer designated by him, to instruct the managing directors of the banks to halt all outward payments, operations, or transactions (including any bills of exchange) related to the specified bank accounts until the investigation is concluded.
During the hearing, the anti-graft lawyer informed the court that the application was dated December 16 and filed on December 17.
“Our motion prays for an order of this Honorable court freezing the bank accounts as stated in the scheduled attached
“There are three grounds attached,” she said.
Babatunde urged the court to grant the application.
Justice Nwite then asked the lawyer for how long the investigation will take and she said 90 days.
The judge, who held that the application was meritorious, granted the prayer.
He adjourned the matter until March 24 for mention.
NAN reports that in the three grounds of argument, the lawyer said the court was empowered to grant reliefs sought.
She said the bank accounts in respect of which the order was sought contained proceeds of crime and there is need to prevent the dissipation of the funds.
She said the accounts in respect of which the reliefs were sought were subject matter of investigation by the EFCC.
In the affidavit deposed to by Ikenna Chukwueze, an investigator attached to the EFCC’s Procurement Fraud Section, the officer said he was part of the team assigned to investigate the matter.
He said the commission received a criminal petition on Oct. 17, 2023, accompanied with the statement of account of Advance Development Services Engineering Limited (ADSEL) and signed by one Barr. Nnamdi Micheal Ogobuchi on behalf of ADSEL and Mr Dollah Kingsley Nnamdi against Taiwo Abubakar Oluwajuwon and Heasy Enterprises.
He said the petition alleged the offence of internet related fraud, conspiracy and unauthorized withdrawal involving the sum of N52,99 1,000.00 (fifty-two million, nine hundred and ninety-one thousand naira.”
Chukwueze said the team commenced a discreet and thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the petition.
