A federal high court in Abuja has granted an interim order to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze at least 1,146 bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies over “unauthorised foreign exchange” transactions.
The commission is also investigating the individuals for
“money laundering and terrorism financing”.
Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, granted the order while
ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by Ekele Iheanacho, counsel to the EFCC.
The court also ordered the commission to conclude the
investigation within 90 days.
“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 unauthorised dealing in foreign exchange, money
laundering and terrorism financing to the extent that the investigation will be
for a period of 90 (Ninety) days,” the judge ruled.
NAN reports that though the ruling was delivered on April
24, the certified true copy was seen on Monday.
The motion by the anti-graft agency was brought under
section 44 (2) and (K) of the 1999 Constitution; section 34 of the EFCC
Establishment Act 2004; section 7(8) of the Money Laundering Prevention and
Prohibition Act 2022 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The commission said, “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 launder proceeds of unlawful activities,” the agency added in the motion
filed before the court.
“That there is a need to preserve the funds in the
identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of the investigation and
possible prosecution.”
Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until July 23 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.
Others are 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 Nmamdi, GTBank account number: 0449088666
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 Asuquo,
Opay Digital Services Ltd account number: 9020132068.
Others are Akingbade Sabit Juwon, ECONANK account number:
3442053006; Nsofor Nnamdi, Union Bank account number: 0140460572; Asuquo
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 Ajala, Fidelity
Bank account number: 5090680780, among others.
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