 |
| Theodore Orji |
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of ₦228.4 million linked to former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji over alleged money laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claims the funds, held in a Keystone Bank account by Effdee Nigeria Ltd, were proceeds of public fund diversion during Orji’s tenure.
Justice Emeka Nwite directed the EFCC to publicize the order, allowing interested parties 14 days to contest the forfeiture.
The case is adjourned to February 3, 2025, for compliance reporting
Orji was the governor of Abia state from 2007 to 2015.
He also served as a senator representing Abia central district between 2015 and 2023.
Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the anti-graft agency, moved the application.
THE APPLICATION
In the ex parte application dated December 30, 2024, and filed on January 2, Yusuf sought an order of the court for the interim forfeiture and freezing of the fund domiciled in an account with Keystone Bank.
In her five-ground argument, the EFCC lawyer argued that the fund, being in possession of Effdee Nigeria Ltd, is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Yusuf told the court that the company allegedly 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,” the lawyer 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 lawyer said there is a need to preserve the fund in the account pending the conclusion of the investigation and prosecution.
She added that the agency is investigating Orji following an intelligence report against the former governor.
Supporting the application, Tahir Ahmed, a litigation officer with the EFCC, told the court that Effdee Nigeria Limited, a waste disposal company, was allegedly used by Orji and officials of his administration to divert and launder funds belonging to Abia state government.
Ahmed said during the investigation, it was discovered that Austin Akuma, the divisional head of Keystone Bank in Abia, was the middleman between the company and Erondu Uchenna Erondu, an aide to the former governor.
The EFCC officer said Akuma told the agency that he and Erondu agreed that the company’s account would be used to receive funds from the accounts of the Abia state government.
He added that an analysis of the company’s account showed substantial inflow from various agencies in Abia state government leaving a balance of N228, 497, 773.12.
In August 2021, the anti-graft agency interrogated Orji and his son for allegedly diverting funds of the state while he was governor.
~Additional reports from TheCable
0 comments:
Post a Comment