The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an interim forfeiture order on over N228.4 million suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Theodore Orji, a former governor of Abia State. The ruling, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite on Wednesday, was made in response to an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC, represented by its counsel, Fadila Yusuf, argued that the interim forfeiture of the funds, allegedly connected to money laundering activities, was critical to ongoing investigations involving Orji, members of his administration, and associates.
Details of the Interim Forfeiture Order
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/03/V/2025 and dated December 30, 2024, requested the freezing of N228,497,773.12, which is currently domiciled in Keystone Bank. According to the EFCC, the funds were discovered in the account of Effdee Nigeria Ltd, a sewage and waste disposal company, and are believed to have been laundered during Orji’s tenure as governor.
The court ordered the EFCC to publish the forfeiture notice in a national newspaper to inform any interested parties. Justice Nwite instructed that individuals or entities with claims to the funds appear before the court within 14 days to present evidence as to why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
EFCC’s Allegations of Money Laundering
In an affidavit filed alongside the application, Tahir Ahmed, a litigation officer with the EFCC, revealed that intelligence received between 2016 and 2017 implicated Orji, his family members, and associates in a series of financial crimes. The affidavit alleges that Effdee Nigeria Ltd was used as a vehicle to funnel funds from the Abia State Government into private accounts.
Ahmed further claimed that the company, in collaboration with bank officials, laundered public funds through a scheme involving transfers to various accounts and cash withdrawals. He specifically named a bank divisional head in Umuahia as a key player in facilitating these transactions. The funds were reportedly returned in cash to a Special Adviser in Orji’s administration, Erondu Uchenna Erondu, who coordinated the financial dealings from the Abia State Government House.
The Path to Permanent Forfeiture
Following the interim order, Justice Nwite emphasized the need for transparency and due process. He granted interested parties two weeks to present their case and adjourned the proceedings until February 3, 2025, for a compliance report. If no valid claims are made, the funds will be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Orji’s Political Career and Allegations
Theodore Orji served as governor of Abia State for two terms before transitioning to the Senate, where he represented Abia Central Senatorial District. After retiring from active politics, allegations of financial misconduct during his time as governor have continued to surface.
The EFCC maintains that the current investigation into the former governor is part of its broader mandate to combat corruption and recover public funds misappropriated by public officials. The agency has assured Nigerians that all implicated individuals will be brought to justice.
The Fight Against Corruption
This case highlights the Nigerian government’s ongoing efforts to combat financial misconduct and recover misappropriated funds. Anti-corruption agencies, such as the EFCC, have intensified their focus on holding public officials accountable for their actions.
Observers across the nation will closely monitor developments in this case, which underscores the importance of transparency and the rule of law in governance.
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