Fresh court order: DSS freezes 13 bank accounts for terrorism

The DSS has successfully secured a fresh order to freeze 13 accounts linked to terrorism activities. Learn more about the ongoing measures and their implications.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has obtained a renewed court order from the Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze 13 bank accounts associated with suspected terrorist Henry Okocha, as part of its ongoing fight against terrorism within the country.

There are 7 banks where the accounts are located and they will be frozen for a period of 60 days so that the agency can perform forensic investigations regarding the alleged terrorism committed by the suspect.

Justice Peter Lifu granted DSS permission to freeze the bank accounts for a period of 60 days, following an ex-parte application and several exhibits presented before the court. This was done in order to facilitate investigations.

The DSS alleged that Okocha received millions of naira into various accounts, suspected to belong to terrorism. These claims were presented in an affidavit consisting of 8 paragraphs and submitted as a supporting document for the ex-parte motion against him.

Read Also: Female Terror Suspect’s 20 Bank Accounts Frozen by Court Order Obtained by DSS

After being arrested for questioning, he was confirmed to have been placed in the custody of the security agency.

During the hearing of the DSS ex-parte application, lawyer Yunus Ishaku Umar presented arguments to Justice Lifu. According to him, granting a freezing order was crucial for preventing the suspect from utilizing their funds in unlawful ways that could harm innocent Nigerians.

In addition, the attorney informed the Judge that by imposing an embargo on the accounts, DSS would be able to uncover those responsible and present them for trial.

Under sections 5 and 81 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022, an ex-parte application with case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1036/2024 was presented.

United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, Union Bank of Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria and Providus Bank are among the banks where the accounts are located. Palmpay Limited and Resolut Limited also have domiciled accounts there.

Justice Lifu denied the appeal for a 90-day embargo on the accounts and instead approved only 60 days, which will expire automatically at precisely that time.

As a reminder, the DSS had previously issued an order freezing 20 bank accounts belonging to Aisha Abdulkarim – a suspected female terrorist. This order was also valid for 60 days.