The Department of State Services (DSS) has obtained a Federal High Court order in Abuja to freeze 20 bank accounts connected to a suspected female terrorist, Aisha Abdulkarim.
Bellnews reports that these accounts, spread across eight different banks, will remain frozen for 60 days, allowing the DSS to conduct forensic investigations into the alleged terrorist activities associated with the account holder.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the freezing order following an ex-parte application presented by the DSS.
The secret police argued that the freezing order was essential to facilitate their investigation without hindrance.
In addition to Aisha Abdulkarim, the DSS has also detained Yehusa Idris and Abdullahi Babayo Umar in connection with the same alleged terrorist activities. They were apprehended at different locations by the security agency.
The DSS’s legal representative, Yunus Ishaku Umar, emphasized to Justice Lifu that access to the bank accounts was crucial for the ongoing investigation. The ex-parte application, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1036/2024, was reviewed by the court during the proceedings.
The accounts are held at various financial institutions, including Opay Digital Services Limited, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Union Bank of Nigeria, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, and First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
The account distribution is as follows: five accounts each at Access Bank and Moniepoint, four at Opay, two at UBA, and one each at GTB, First Bank, Union Bank, and FCMB.
Although the DSS initially sought a 90-day freeze on the accounts, Justice Lifu granted a 60-day period, urging the agency to expedite its investigation.
The judge also noted that, according to the law, the suspected terrorists are presumed innocent until proven guilty and should not face undue hardship due to the account freeze during the investigation.