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Court Approves EFCC’s Request To Freeze 24 Accounts Linked To Terrorism Financing

A Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) application to freeze 24 bank accounts domiciled in different banks over allegations of terrorism financing.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted the application after the EFCC’s lawyer, Martha Babatunde, moved an ex-parte motion to the effect, gave the commission the go-ahead to freeze the accounts for 90 days pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion ex-parte, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1897/V/2024, was filed by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.
Iheanacho sought an order freezing the bank accounts stated in the schedule, which accounts are owned by Lawrence Lucky Eromosele, who is currently being investigated in a case involving kidnapping pending the conclusion of the investigation.
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He said the bank accounts in respect of which the reliefs were sought are subject matters of investigation by the EFCC in relation to money laundering and terrorism financing.
The senior lawyer said the preliminary investigation conducted thus far revealed 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 launder proceeds of unlawful activities.
He said there was a need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution.
In the affidavit deposed to by Mohammed Khalil, an investigator attached to the Special Investigation Team of the EFCC domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), he said he was a member of the team assigned to investigate the matter.
He said the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, directed the team to investigate a serious threat by a syndicate threatening the lives of senior operatives of the NSA by making demands for payments of ransom.
He said on receipt of the directive, the team began the investigation by conducting surveillance of the activities of these syndicates, requesting bank instruments.
Kalil said the investigation revealed Lawrence Lucky Eromosele as one of the perpetrators of the crime.
According to him, the operatives received a direct threat involving their families, with the perpetrators providing the home addresses, family locations and specific movements with a threat to kidnap following failure to remit redemption payments.
He alleged that “one unknown individual contacted an operative, demanding some monies in exchange for their freedom and that of their families.”
“Attached and marked as Exhibit EFCC 1 is the printout of the chat between one of the perpetrators and the operative.”
The officer said in a bid to mitigate some of the threats, the team had identified bank accounts linked to the individuals making the threats.
“Attached and marked as Exhibit EFCC 2 are the bank statements of one of the suspects.
“Further intelligence has revealed that proceeds of crimes and funds for terrorist activities are covertly exchanged through these platforms,” he said.
Kalil said the order of the court was necessary to freeze the said accounts clearly described in Schedule 1 to the motion paper for which the investigation is ongoing.
Upon resumed hearing, Babatunde, who appeared for the EFCC, informed the court that the motion was dated and filed on Dec. 17.
She said the motion prayed for an order freezing the bank accounts in the schedule attached to the application.
The lawyer urged the court to grant the relief.
When Justice Nwite asked her for how long the investigation would be conducted, Babatunde said within 90 days.
The judge, who granted the prayer, adjourned the matter until 24th March 2025 for mention.
News
Edo Assembly Invites Obaseki, Others For Questioning Over MOWAA
The controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and Radisson Hotel, remains unabated as Edo State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the matter has invited a former governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki for questioning.
A statement by Secretary of the Ad-hoc Committee, Bekisu Oshone, on Thursday, stated that the former governor and others are expected to appear on December 4, 2025.
Other persons invited by the committee are a former Edo Finance Commissioner, Joseph Eboigbe, former Attorney General of Edo State, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, MOWAA’s Director, Philip Iheanacho and Managing Director, Tilbury House Nigeria Limited.
READ ALSO:MOWAA Authorities Shun Edo Assembly Committee, Give Reason
According to her, others invited are Project Manager of Hospitality Investment and Management Company, Pramod Thorat, Managing Director, Afrinvest Capital Limited, Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director, Meristem Trustees Limited and
Managing Director, Emerging Africa Trustees Limited.
The statement reads: “The Edo State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee constituted to investigate the Museum of West African Arts and Radisson Hotel invites former Governor Godwin Obaseki and 10 others/organization (listed above) to appear before the committee for public hearing on December 4.”
She said attendance by Obaseki and others was required as part of the committee’s investigation.
The former governor and other invitees are expected to give insights into funding of the Radisson Hotel.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo Revokes MOWAA Land Title
The MOWAA and Radisson Hotel were both conceptualized by Obaseki.
While first phase of the MOWAA has been completed, Radisson Hotel is near completion.
Recall that an exhibition at the museum turned chaotic on November 9 after angry protesters stormed the venue, forcing a high-profile event to shut down abruptly.
The preview opening, described as a private exhibition for investors, artists, and foreign envoys, quickly descended into panic when a mob claiming the museum belonged to the Oba of Benin breached parts of the premises.
News
Police, PSC Set Up Committee To Recruit 30,000 New Officers
The Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have set up a high-powered joint Ad-hoc Committee to drive the immediate commencement of the recruitment of 30,000 new officers.
The PSC disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, following the inauguration of the Ad-hoc Committee on Wednesday, 26th November, 2025 by the Chairman, Police Service Commission DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd) at the Police Service Commission Corporate Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
The establishment of the committee followed the presidential directive to bolster the numerical strength of the NPF and enhance national security.
According to the statement, the primary mandate of the Joint Ad-hoc Committee is to collaborate and brainstorm on creating a seamless, transparent, and efficient recruitment process.
READ ALSO:PSC Reviews Disciplinary Cases, Reinstates Dismissed Police Officers
It added that the committee will work to ensure the exercise is conducted with the highest standards of integrity and merit.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, who was represented by DIG (Bar) Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), said that “the collaboration is crucial for a successful exercise”.
Lakanu, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Police Force Matters Committee, PSC reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that the recruitment is fair and based on established guidelines.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, was represented at the event by CP Edwin Eloho of the Department of Training and Development, Force Headquarters.
READ ALSO:Four Suspected Robbers Killed In Gunfight With Police In Delta
Egbetokun emphasised the importance of the recruitment in strengthening the police force’s capacity to serve and protect the citizens of Nigeria.
The IGP affirmed the NPF’s full cooperation with the PSC to ensure the timely and successful achievement of this national objective.
“The inauguration of this committee marks a critical step forward in the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing security challenges and improving the police-to-citizen ratio across the country,” he said.
The PSC is the Federal Executive Body empowered to appoint, promote, dismiss, and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force, except the IGP.
READ ALSO:Police Rescue Stolen Boy, Arrest Six Over Child Trafficking In Anambra
The NPF is the principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria. It is designated to, amongst others, prevent and detect crime, protect lives and property, and maintain public order and safety.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday presided over a high-level security meeting with Nigeria’s top military and intelligence chiefs at the State House, Abuja, as the administration intensified efforts to confront emerging and persistent security threats across the country.
The closed-door session was confirmed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who shared updates via his X handle, @DOlusegun.
READ ALSO:FCT Police Reacts To Alleged Assassination Attempt On Naval Officer Yerima
The Service Chiefs in attendance included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Kennedy Aneke, as well as IGP Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Service.
The appointments of the new Service Chiefs, announced by President Tinubu in October 2025, form part of a broader effort to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture.
Also present was Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, who continues to serve as Chief of Defence Intelligence, alongside other senior security advisers and heads of relevant agencies.
News
Guinea-Bissau Coup: FG Gives Update On Ex-President Jonathan
Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, is safe and has left Guinea-Bissau following the military takeover that disrupted the country’s electoral process, the Federal Government confirmed on Thursday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told journalists in Abuja that Jonathan departed on a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas.
“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas,” he said.
Jonathan had been in the country as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, monitoring the presidential and legislative elections held on Sunday. The military seized control before official results were announced.
READ ALSO:Coup In Guinea-Bissau? Soldiers Deployed Near Presidential Palace After Gunfire
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Jonathan, alongside Filipe Nyusi, former president of Mozambique and head of the African Union Election Observation Mission, and Issifu Kamara, head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, condemned the coup as a direct attempt to disrupt Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process. The statement called for calm and reaffirmed support for the country during the crisis, stressing the need to preserve peace and stability.
The Federal Government also condemned the military action, describing it as an unconstitutional change of government that violated the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
The crisis escalated on Wednesday when military officers declared “total control” of Guinea-Bissau, closed its borders, and suspended electoral activities.
Heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace, and key access routes were blocked. General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice.”
READ ALSO:Gabon Votes In First Presidential Election Since 2023 Coup
Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo later confirmed in a phone call with France24 that he had been deposed, while opposition candidate Fernando Dias also claimed victory in Sunday’s elections. The military claimed it had uncovered a plot involving “national drug lords” and the importation of weapons “to alter the constitutional order.”
Jonathan and other election observers had been temporarily trapped in the country as outgoing flights were suspended. While he remained in Guinea-Bissau, his spokesperson confirmed he was unharmed and maintaining contact with colleagues. Jonathan and fellow African leaders condemned the intervention and urged the immediate release of detained electoral officials so that the process could be concluded.
The joint statement from Jonathan and the observer missions urged the African Union and ECOWAS to act swiftly to restore constitutional order and called on the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, emphasising the importance of safeguarding peace, stability, and public welfare during the period of uncertainty.
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