April 29, (THEWILL) – The Federal High Court Abuja, has granted an interim order to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), to freeze a total of 1,146 bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies over allegations of unauthorised dealing in foreign exchange.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order last Wednesday, April 24, while ruling on the ex-parte motion brought before the court by EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: That the applicant’s application is hereby granted as prayed. That an order of this honourable court is hereby made to freeze 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 days”, Justice Nwite ruled.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had alleged that many Nigerians are involved in Foreign Exchange racketeering leading to instability in the Foreign exchange in Nigeria.
The anti-graft agency had, in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/543/2024 said: “The bank accounts in respect of which the reliefs are sought are subject of investigation by the EFCC in relation to money laundering and terrorism financing.
“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 the naira and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities.
“There is a need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of investigation and possible prosecution.”
Some of the account names identified in the schedule attached to the motion 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.
“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.
“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.
“Akingbade Sabit Juwon, ECOBANK 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.”
Meanwhile, Justice Nwite has adjourned until July 23, for the EFCC to report on its findings.
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