DSS secures fresh order to freeze 13 bank accounts over terrorism charges

In its renewed battle against acts of terrorism in the country, the Department of the State Service, DSS has again secured an order from the Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze 13 different bank accounts linked to a suspected terrorist, Henry Okocha.

The accounts are domiciled in 7 different banks and are to remain frozen for 60 days to enable the agency conduct forensic investigations into the alleged acts of terrorism by the suspect

In a ruling in an ex-parte application and series of exhibits brought before the court, Justice Peter Lifu permitted DSS to embargo the bank accounts for 60 days for investigation.

In an 8-paragraph affidavit in support of the ex-parte motion, Okocha was accused by DSS of receiving millions of naira into accounts and was strongly suspected of being proceeds of terrorism.

He was confirmed to have been taken into the custody of the security agency following his arrest for investigations.

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The DSS ex-parte application was argued by its lawyer, Yunus Ishaku Umar who informed Justice Lifu that the DSS needed the freezing order to prevent the suspect from using the fund for illicit activities against innocent Nigerians.

The lawyer also told the Judge that the embargo on the accounts would enable DSS to unravel the perpetrators and bring them before the court for prosecution.

The ex-parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1036/2024 was brought under sections 5 and 81 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

The banks where the accounts are domiciled are United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, Union Bank of Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria, Providus Bank, Palmpay Limited and Resolut Limited.

Justice Lifu turned down the request for 90 days to embargo the accounts and granted 60 days only which shall automatically lapse at exactly 60 days.

It will be recalled that a similar order had been granted against a suspected female terrorist Aisha Abdulkarim whose 20 bank accounts were ordered to be frozen for 60 days by DSS.