Court orders interim freezing of N228.4m linked to ex-Abia Governor Theodore Orji

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim freezing and forfeiture of over N228.4 million allegedly linked to former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the ruling on Wednesday, following claims of money laundering and misappropriation of public funds, based on an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court directed the EFCC to publicize the order on its website and instructed that any parties with an interest in the funds should come forward within 14 days to explain why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The funds in question were reportedly linked to Orji’s tenure as governor of Abia State, a position he held for two terms before transitioning to serve as a senator for Abia Central.

Though now retired from active politics, Orji’s legacy is under scrutiny as investigators probe allegations of large-scale financial misconduct during his administration.

According to the EFCC, the funds were part of a larger conspiracy involving government officials, family members, and private contractors. Effdee Nigeria Limited, a company purportedly involved in waste disposal services, is said to have played a central role in the alleged money laundering operation.

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Court documents suggest that the company acted as a front for laundering public funds from Abia State Government accounts, with the involvement of officials from Keystone Bank.

Tahir Ahmed, an EFCC litigation officer, filed a sworn affidavit detailing how intelligence gathered between 2016 and 2017 led to an investigation into the former governor’s financial activities.

The affidavit alleges that substantial amounts of money were funneled into Effdee Nigeria Limited’s account and then dispersed to various individual accounts. These funds were reportedly withdrawn as cash and returned to government officials.

The investigation further led to the arrest of Austin Akuma, a divisional head at Keystone Bank in Umuahia. Akuma reportedly confessed to coordinating the scheme with Erondu Uchenna Erondu, a special adviser to Orji during his time as governor.

Court filings revealed that Effdee Nigeria Limited had received significant payments from state agencies, leaving a balance of N228.4 million in the company’s Keystone Bank account. This balance has now been frozen by the court.

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EFCC lawyer Fadila Yusuf argued that the funds in question were likely proceeds of illicit activities and must be preserved to prevent dissipation during the ongoing investigation.

She presented evidence to the court, including banking records and testimonies from suspects, which point to a conspiracy involving high-ranking officials from Orji’s administration, their associates, and family members.

“Effdee Nigeria Limited was used as a conduit for laundering funds,” Yusuf said in her submission. “Preserving this money is crucial to ensuring accountability and justice.”

After hearing the EFCC’s arguments, Justice Nwite granted the interim forfeiture order, citing the need to protect the funds while investigations continue. The case has been adjourned to February 3, 2025, for a compliance report on the status of the funds.

The ruling marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat corruption and financial mismanagement linked to public officeholders.