A federal high court in Abuja has granted the interim forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to Theodore Orji, the former governor of Abia, over alleged money laundering.
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.
NAN reports that Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, ordered
the interim forfeiture of the fund following an ex parte application filed by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the anti-graft agency, moved the
application.
The judge ordered the EFCC to publish the order on its
website and a national newspaper to allow interested parties to show cause why
the fund should not be permanently forfeited within 14 days of the publication.
The judge adjourned the case to February 3.
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.
A federal high court in Abuja has granted the interim
forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to Theodore Orji, the former governor of
Abia, over alleged money laundering.
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.
NAN reports that Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, ordered
the interim forfeiture of the fund following an ex parte application filed by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the anti-graft agency, moved the
application.
The judge ordered the EFCC to publish the order on its
website and in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to show cause
why the fund should not be permanently forfeited within 14 days of the
publication.
The judge adjourned the case to February 3.
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 the 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 funds
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 the 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 the 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 from the state while he was governor.
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