The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has received authorization from the Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze the bank account of Usman Idris, a suspected terrorist leader, for a duration of 30 days.
The account, held at the United Bank for Africa (UBA), is under investigation for alleged connections to terrorist activities.
Justice Peter Lifu granted the freezing order following the DIA’s ex-parte application, presented by the agency’s counsel, Barrister S. A. Aminu.
The lawyer argued that Idris has been linked to serious crimes, including banditry, kidnapping, oil bunkering, and financing terrorism.
The application, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1145/2024, included evidence of illicit arms purchases and initially requested a 90-day freeze on the account.
However, Justice Lifu limited the order to 30 days after questioning the duration of Idris’s detention and the progress of the investigation.
It was revealed during the hearing that Idris has been in DIA custody since February 26 of this year.
The judge expressed concern over the length of the investigation, emphasizing the presumption of innocence and the need for timely legal proceedings. Justice Lifu also reminded the DIA of the legal time limits for detaining a suspect without formal charges.
Idris is among 20 suspected terrorists, including a serving police Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who have been ordered by the court to be detained for 30 days to allow the DIA to complete its investigations.
News Editor