Court Grants DIA Request To Freeze Suspected Terrorist Leader’s Account

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted a request by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to freeze the bank account of a suspected notorious terrorist, Usman Idris.

Justice Peter Lifu ordered that the account domiciled at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) be frozen for at most 30 days to enable the agency to conduct investigations into the activities of the suspect using the account.

Justice Lifu issued the order while ruling on an ex-parte application brought before him by the DIA.

The prosecution, S. A. Aminu, arguing the ex-parte motion claimed the owner (Idris) is one part of a notorious gang linked with so many heinous crimes, such as banditry, kidnapping, oil bunkering, and terrorism financing.

The ex-parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1145/2024 was backed with some incriminating exhibits, including illicit arms purchases, and a 90-day request to place an embargo on the account.

Justice Lifu granted the request to freeze the account but said it can only be done within 30 days, as the suspect has been in custody since February 26, 2024

The judge urged that he be charged to court, reminding the agency that there is a limit to how long they can hold a suspect, as the law presumes him innocent until proven guilty.

Recall that Idris was among 20 suspected terrorists, including a serving police ASP, ordered to be detained for 30 days by the judge to enable the DIA to complete the investigation into their heinous crimes.