A Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja has ordered the non permanent freezing of 21 bank accounts linked to cash laundering and different illegal actions, directing the arrest of their account holders.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the ruling on Friday following an ex-parte movement filed by counsel to the Inspector-Common of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Mohammed, as reported by the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN).
The accounts, domiciled in 13 banks, embrace Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, Assure Belief Bank, Sterling Bank, Wema Bank, Union Bank, United Bank for Africa, Stanbic IBTC, First Monument Bank, Heritage Bank, TAJ Bank, and Keystone Bank.
Justice Nwite instructed the banks to offer full particulars of the account packages, place a Put up-No-Debit (PND) order on the accounts, and disable their ATM functionalities whereas permitting inflows. The freeze will stay in place for 90 days, pending the conclusion of investigations.
“An order directing the banks to challenge particulars of the account bundle(s) and to position a Put up-No-Debit (PND) on the accounts, disable the ATM whereas permitting influx into the mentioned account as from the date of this courtroom order.
“An order of the courtroom, directing the bank to apprehend the account holder or any particular person transacting enterprise on the mentioned account and phone the police by way of this quantity 09011483807,” Justice Nwite dominated.
In line with the IGP’s movement, the accounts allegedly served as conduits for proceeds of fraudulent actions, together with a breach of belief involving a three way partnership settlement for a Nigerian Navy contract.
Extra perception
The NAN report provided additional perception, indicating that preliminary investigations revealed the suspect unilaterally altered the phrases of the settlement, eliminated the complainant as a signatory to the joint account, and transferred funds to a number of accounts to obscure the cash path.
Detective Glory Ohio, connected to the Power Legal Investigation Division, disclosed in an affidavit that funds meant for the execution of the contract had been diverted and subsequently transferred again to accounts managed by the suspect.
- The detective famous that these actions had been indicative of cash laundering and had been designed to hide the origins of the funds.
- The IGP’s counsel argued that any additional dealings with the accounts, resembling withdrawals or transfers, may jeopardize the continued investigation.
- The courtroom’s order additionally mandates the banks to help legislation enforcement in apprehending the account holders or any people transacting on the accounts.
Justice Nwite emphasised the advantage of the movement in his ruling, stating, “The applying is hereby granted besides that the interval of the investigation can solely final for a interval of 90 days.”
The decide adjourned the matter to April 3, 2025, for additional point out.
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