The Federal High Court in Abuja has recently granted an interim order requested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze approximately 1,146 bank accounts linked to individuals and companies.
The bank accounts in respect of which the reliefs were sought are subject matters of investigation by the EFCC concerning money laundering and terrorism financing, said the anti-graft agency, noting that preliminary investigation conducted thus far reveals that the bank accounts are linked to persons who take advantage of the virtual cryptocurrency exchange platforms to illegally manipulate the value of naira and launder proceeds of unlawful activities.
The agency said there was a need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution.
The judge consequently adjourned the matter until July 23 for mention.
Some of the account names mentioned in the attached schedule are Akitoye Adeyemi Ayomide with GTBank account number; 0165110025; Clyp Trading Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000331101; Clyp Consulting Ltd, Providous account number: 9401374554; and Toyetech Platforms Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000134962.
They include Winx International Platforms Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number 0000135055; Shutterscore Trading Platforms Ltd, Access Bank account number 1532363954; Tradecillion Trading Ltd, Stanbic IBTC account number 0045672922; Nsofor Donald Nmamdi, GTBank account number 0449088666; Kora Payments Network Ltd-Operations, UBA account number 1022242089; Renderstack Technologies Ltd, Zenith Bank account number 1210355120; Korex Payments Ltd, Globus account number 5000007837; Awe Microfinance Bank Ltd, and Providous account number 5400760781.
Others are Victor Samuel Asuquo, Opay Digital Services Ltd account number 9020132068; Akingbade Sabit Juwon, ECONANK account number 3442053006; Nsofor Donald Nmamdi, Union Bank account number 0140460572; Asuquo Victor Samuel, First Bank account number 3153199542; Oty Ugochukwu Stanley, FCMB account number 4039304011; Oty & Sons Global Concepts, Fidelity Bank account number 6060410145; and Pelumi Ayandoye, Wema Bank account number 0234852277; and David George Ajala, Fidelity Bank account number 5090680780.
On March 18, the judge directed Binance Holdings Limited to furnish the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with comprehensive data on all Nigerian traders using its platform.
The judge previously issued an interim order on February 29, allowing the anti-graft agency to investigate alleged money laundering and terrorism financing activities on Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange platform.
During the proceedings, the commission informed the judge that its investigation had identified users utilizing the platform for price discovery, confirmation, and market manipulation, leading to significant distortions in the market and contributing to the depreciation of the Nigerian naira against other currencies.
According to information provided by Binance, the total trading volume from Nigeria in 2023 amounted to $21.6 billion.
Meanwhile, the EFCC is prosecuting Binance and two of its executives on charges related to money laundering, while the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is pursuing the company for suspected tax evasion.
