The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an order to the Department of State Services (DSS) to freeze 20 bank accounts linked to a suspected female terrorist, Aisha Abdulkarim.
The accounts, spread across eight banks, will remain frozen for 60 days to facilitate forensic investigations into alleged terrorist activities.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the order following an ex-parte application by the DSS, which was argued by its lawyer, Yunus Ishaku Umar. The application sought to freeze the accounts to enable unhindered access to the banks for investigation.
The affected banks include Opay Digital Services Limited, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, Union Bank of Nigeria, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, and First City Monument Bank. A breakdown of the accounts shows that five are domiciled in Access Bank and Moniepoint each, four in Opay, two in UBA, and one each in the remaining banks.
Although the DSS requested a 90-day freeze, Justice Lifu granted 60 days, emphasizing the need for diligence and swift investigation. The judge noted that the law presumes the suspects innocent and should not be subjected to unnecessary hardship.
Two other individuals, Yehusa Idris and Abdullahi Babayo Umar, have been taken into custody in connection with the alleged terrorist activities.
