PeakNews Online
The Department of State Services (DSS) has obtained a Federal High Court order in Abuja to freeze 20 bank accounts allegedly linked to a suspected female terrorist, Aisha Abdulkarim.
The accounts, spread across eight different banks, will remain frozen for 60 days to allow for forensic investigations into Abdulkarim’s suspected involvement in terrorism.
Justice Peter Lifu granted the freezing order after an ex-parte application was filed and argued by DSS counsel, Yunus Ishaku Umar. The agency had sought 90 days to freeze the accounts, but Justice Lifu limited the order to 60 days.
The banks involved include Opay Digital Services, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Union Bank, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, and First City Monument Bank (FCMB). A breakdown reveals 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.
In addition to Abdulkarim, two other suspects, Yehusa Idris and Abdullahi Babayo Umar, are in DSS custody in connection with the alleged terrorist activities. Both were arrested in separate locations.
Justice Lifu emphasized that while the accounts are frozen, the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and should not be subjected to unnecessary hardship during the investigation.
