US banks freeze Nigerian embassy accounts

Two US banks have frozen the accounts of Nigerian missions in New York and Washington DC over suspicious wire transfers totaling $3.6 million. An embargo was placed on the accounts of the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC and the permanent mission to the United Nations after Nigerian officials failed to adequately explain the transfers in question. Investigators are reportedly concerned the missions could be involved in money-laundering. Nigeria’s auditor-general has been dispatched to assist in the investigations.