Court Orders Interim Forfeiture Of ₦228 Million Linked To Former Abia Governor
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that the sum of ₦228.4 million linked to Theodore Orji, the former governor of Abia State, over allegations of money laundering be forfeited on an interim basis.
Didactic Information Hut recalls that Senator Orji who served as the governor of Abia from 2007 to 2015 and later as a senator representing Abia Central District between 2015 and 2023 was ordered to forfeit the money after the presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, issued the interim forfeiture order in a matter instituted agaisnt Him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
After the order, the judge directed the EFCC to publish it on its website and in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited within 14 days of the publication.
Justice Nwite later adjourned the case to February 3.
In the ex parte application dated December 30, 2024, and filed on January 2, Fadila Yusuf, who is the Counsel to the EFCC, moved the application and requested an order for the interim forfeiture and freezing of the funds held in a Keystone Bank account. She argued that the funds, held by Effdee Nigeria Ltd., were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Yusuf also told the court that the company had conspired with others to defraud the Abia State government.
“Effdee Nigeria Ltd is alleged to have conspired with others to defraud Abia state government, to wit: conspiracy, abuse of office, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, and diversion of public funds,” she said.
“Effdee Nigeria Ltd., in whose possession the monies were found, is reasonably suspected to have conspired with Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, the former governor of Abia State, some officials in the former governor’s administration, and his family members.”
The EFCC in its argument said that the funds needed to be preserved pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution. Yusuf also disclosed that the EFCC was investigating Orji based on an intelligence report received against him.
Didactic Information Hut recalls that the EFCC had in August 2021 interrogated Orji and his son over allegations of diverting state funds during his tenure as governor.
