“Nigeria Secret Police DSS Obtain New Order To Freeze 13 Bank Accounts Over Terrorism Allegations”
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the freezing of 13 bank accounts linked to Henry Okocha, who is suspected of terrorism. This decision came after the Department of State Services (DSS), represented by counsel Yunus Umar, submitted an ex-parte application. The accounts, which are spread across seven different banks, will remain frozen for 60 days to allow for a thorough forensic investigation into the alleged terrorist activities.
In a related development, the court had also frozen the bank accounts of 32 individuals and companies reportedly connected to the #EndBadGovernance protests that occurred in Nigeria between August 1 and August 10. Justice Emeka Nwite issued this ex-parte order, which included cooperative society accounts, based on a motion filed by the Inspector-General of Police’s counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed. The court also instructed banks to detain account holders or any persons attempting transactions on these accounts while investigations and potential prosecutions are underway.
Furthermore, in another recent ruling, Justice Peter Lifu granted the DSS’s request to impose a 60-day embargo on several bank accounts to facilitate investigations. The court declined a request to extend this period to 90 days. According to an affidavit, the DSS accused Okocha of receiving millions of naira into these accounts, which they strongly suspect are linked to terrorism. Following his arrest, Okocha was taken into custody for further investigation.
DSS counsel Mr. Umar argued that the freezing order was necessary to prevent the suspect from using the funds for illegal activities that could harm innocent Nigerians. The lawyer also emphasized that the embargo would aid the DSS in uncovering those involved in the alleged crimes and ensure they are prosecuted. The ex-parte application for this case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1036/2024, was filed under sections 5 and 81 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.
The banks affected by these orders include United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, Union Bank of Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria, Providus Bank, Palmpay Limited, and Resolut Limited. This action follows a similar move by the DSS, which recently froze 20 bank accounts belonging to Aisha Abdulkarim, another individual accused of terrorism.
