A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order freezing 21 bank accounts across multiple commercial banks over allegations of money laundering.
The court also directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest the account holders involved in the case.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, followed a motion ex parte filed by Ibrahim Mohammed, counsel to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1965/V/2024, requested the court’s intervention to freeze the accounts and secure critical evidence for an ongoing investigation.
In his judgment, Justice Nwite approved the motion, describing it as “meritorious” but stipulated that the investigation period should not exceed 90 days.
He also ordered the affected banks to provide detailed account packages, impose post-no-debit (PND) restrictions, and disable ATM access while allowing inflow into the accounts.
According to an affidavit submitted by Glory Ohio, a detective with the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), the accounts are suspected of being used to launder proceeds from fraudulent activities.
The affidavit revealed that the investigation stemmed from a petition alleging theft and breach of trust involving a business agreement between a contractor and Indetix Limited, a special purpose vehicle company.
The complainant claimed that after securing a contract with the Nigerian Navy, a joint account was opened with Zenith Bank, with both parties serving as signatories.
However, a disagreement over profit-sharing terms allegedly led to the removal of the complainant as a signatory to the account.
The suspect is accused of transferring funds from the joint account to other accounts to conceal the origins of the money, a tactic reportedly designed to promote money laundering.
The investigation uncovered that the suspect allegedly falsified a company resolution to assume sole control over the joint account.
Funds meant for executing the Navy contract—covering items such as ICT equipment, wooden canoes, and outboard engines—were reportedly misappropriated.
It was further alleged that money purportedly used for procurement was later funneled back into the suspect’s account, highlighting efforts to disguise illicit activities.
The affected banks include major financial institutions such as Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank Ltd, United Bank for Africa Plc, and First Monument Bank Plc, among others.
The court adjourned the matter to April 3, 2025, for further hearing.
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