Ayomide Awe
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an interim order for the forfeiture of N228.4 million traced to former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji to the Federal Government, amidst allegations of money laundering.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on an ex-parte motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), directed the anti-graft agency to publish the forfeiture order on its website and in the Daily Trust newspaper.
The court also invited interested parties to show cause within 14 days as to why the funds should not be permanently forfeited.
The EFCC’s application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/03/V/2025, invoked provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.
The EFCC alleged that Effdee Nigeria Limited, a company linked to the former governor, was used to siphon funds from Abia State Government accounts.
According to the commission, the company colluded with Mr. Orji, some officials of his administration, and family members to launder public funds.
Tahir Ahmed, a litigation officer with the EFCC, disclosed that the commission received intelligence reports between 2016 and 2017 implicating Mr. Orji and his associates.
Investigations revealed that Effdee Nigeria Limited operated as a conduit for diverting government funds, aided by Keystone Bank officials.
Ahmed noted that funds deposited into the company’s account were later withdrawn and returned in cash to the Government House through intermediaries.
He added that a balance of N228,497,773.12 remained in Effdee Nigeria Limited’s Keystone Bank account, necessitating the forfeiture to prevent dissipation of the funds.
The EFCC alleged that Austin Akuma, a Keystone Bank official, facilitated the transactions alongside Erondu Uchenna Erondu, a Special Adviser to the former governor.
In his statement to the EFCC, Akuma reportedly confessed to orchestrating the diversion scheme with the cooperation of multiple parties.
Ahmed presented evidence, including bank statements and witness accounts, to support the allegations.
He emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigations, which aim to unravel the full extent of the alleged fraudulent activities.
Justice Nwite ruled that the EFCC’s application was meritorious, granting the prayers to freeze and forfeit the funds temporarily. The matter was adjourned to February 3 for a compliance report and further proceedings.
Mr. Orji, who served as Abia State Governor from 2007 to 2015 and later represented Abia Central Senatorial District for two terms, retired from active politics in recent years.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
