The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a freezing order against five bank accounts linked to the alleged fraudulent diversion of N48 million meant for the purchase of a cryptocurrency mining rig package in 2023.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interim order on November 28, 2024, in response to a motion ex parte filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The motion follows a petition submitted by Usman Abbas, Esq., on behalf of the complainants.
According to the petition, the suspects, led by Dimeji Christopher, presented a crypto mining investment opportunity to the complainants, promising substantial returns on investment. Enticed by these promises, the complainants reportedly invested a total of N48 million through multiple payments to various bank accounts provided by the suspects.
However, the EFCC alleges that the suspects failed to deliver on their promises or refund the capital investment, prompting the complainants to seek redress. Investigations revealed that the funds were not used for the intended purpose but were allegedly diverted for personal use and disbursed to accomplices.
A mining rig, the focus of the investment, is a specialized computer system designed to mine cryptocurrencies.
In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1188/2024, EFCC lawyer Sabina M. Dabak, Esq., informed the court that the funds in the identified bank accounts are critical to the ongoing investigation into allegations of obtaining funds under false pretenses and criminal breach of trust.
An affidavit submitted by Austin Elem, an EFCC operative, disclosed that the funds received by Dimeji Christopher, the Director of Meta Consultants Limited, were intended for the purchase of a mining rig package under a sales and hosting agreement. Elem stated that no evidence of investment in crypto mining or any other business on behalf of the complainants has been uncovered so far.
It was further revealed that Christopher authorized the transfer of funds to various accounts before going into hiding. However, he was recently apprehended by the EFCC’s Kano State Zonal Directorate. The investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraudulent transactions and identify all accomplices involved.
At the hearing on November 28, 2024, EFCC lawyer Stanley Obilo, Esq., urged the court to extend the freezing order to preserve the funds in the implicated accounts. He argued that this would prevent further transactions pending the conclusion of the investigation and prosecution.
Justice Nwite, upon reviewing the EFCC’s motion and affidavits, ruled that the application was meritorious. He granted an interim freezing order for 60 days, directing the banks to suspend all outward payments and transactions related to the identified accounts.
The case was adjourned to January 29, 2025, for further reporting.