Court orders interim forfeiture of N228.4m traced to ex-governor of Abia

A Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja has made an order of interim freezing and forfeiture of over N228.4 million linked to former Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State to the federal authorities on allegations of cash laundering.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on an ex-parte movement moved by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC)’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, additionally directed the EFCC to make publication of the order on its web site and Each day Belief Newspaper.

Based on Mr Nwite’s order, events ought to present trigger inside 14 days of the publication of the order.

The decide adjourned the matter till 3 February for a report of compliance.

The Information Company of Nigeria stories that Mr Orji additionally served as a two-term senator representing Abia Central District earlier than retiring from lively politics.

The anti-graft company had, within the movement, ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/03/V/2025, introduced the swimsuit below Part 44(2) (b) of the 1999 Structure (as amended) and Part 17 of the Advance Charge Fraud and Different Fraud Associated Offences Act, 2006.

The movement dated 30 December 2024 and filed on 2 January by Ms Yusuf was additionally introduced below the court docket’s inherent jurisdiction.

The orders EFCC sought from the court docket

The lawyer sought an order granting an interim freezing and forfeiture of N228, 497, 773. 12 domiciled with Keystone Financial institution set out within the schedule connected to the Federal Authorities of Nigeria.

She additionally sought “an order authorising the fee to make publication of interim freezing/forfeiture order made by this honourable court docket on the EFCC web site and Each day Belief Newspaper and the events to indicate trigger inside 14 days of the publication of the order.”

In her five-ground argument, the lawyer mentioned the cash described within the schedule was the subject material of investigation by the EFCC and located within the possession of Effdee Nigeria Ltd.

She mentioned it was fairly suspected to be proceeds of illegal actions.

“Effdee Nigeria Ltd is alleged to have conspired with others to defraud Abia State Authorities to wit: conspiracy, abuse of workplace, acquiring cash by false pretence, cash laundering and diversion of public funds.

“Effdee Nigeria Ltd, in whose possession the monies had been discovered, in all fairness suspected to have conspired with Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, the previous Governor of Abia State, some officers within the former governor’s administration and his members of the family,” she mentioned.

Ms Yusuf mentioned EFCC was investigating them for the allegations following an intelligence report obtained by the fee towards Mr Orji.

Based on her, preserving the cash pending investigation and or prosecution is important.

Background

Tahir Ahmed, an EFCC litigation officer, mentioned that between 2016 and 2017, the fee generally obtained an intelligence report towards Mr Orji, some officers in his administration, and his members of the family.

He averred that Effdee Nigeria Restricted, a sewage and waste disposal entity, was utilized by the previous governor, some officers in his administration, and his members of the family to divert and launder Abia State Authorities funds whereas Mr Orji was in workplace.

“The corporate was used to siphon funds and divert monies with the assistance of some officers of Keystone Financial institution,

“The Intelligence report was assigned to the Financial Governance Part of the fee for investigation,” he mentioned.

He mentioned the staff commenced an investigation into the case, which led to the arrest of Austin Akuma, the divisional head of Keystone Financial institution Pic in Umuahia. He mentioned Mr Akuma was found to be the intermediary between the contractor (Effdee Nigeria Restricted) and Erondu Uchenna Erondu, the previous governor’s particular adviser, common duties.

He alleged that the banker, in an announcement made upon phrases of warning on the EFCC workplace, said that it was agreed between himself (Akuma) and Erondu that the contractor’s firm, Effdee Nigeria Restricted, can be used to obtain funds from Abia State Authorities accounts.

“Thereafter, the contractor would distribute these monies to a number of accounts of particular clients of the financial institution to be supplied by the banker, after which these numerous clients would withdraw money and return similar to the banker who in flip takes the money to the Particular Adviser within the Authorities Home,” he alleged, attaching the statements made as Exhibit EFCC 1.

Based on him, letters of investigation actions had been additionally written to Keystone Financial institution, and evaluation of the assertion of Effdee Nigeria Restricted’s account revealed substantial influx from numerous companies within the Abia State Authorities, leaving a stability of N228 497 773.12.

Mr Ahmed, nevertheless, mentioned that the investigation was nonetheless ongoing relating to the allegations obtained towards the suspects.

He mentioned the remainder wanted to be preserved to stop the dissipation of the cash pending the conclusion of the investigation and the conclusion of the multifarious prison complaints and ongoing investigations pertaining to the suspects.

After Mr Yusuf moved the movement, Mr Nwite, who mentioned the applying was meritorious, granted the prayers.