COURT ORDERS TEMPORARY FORFEITURE OF FUNDS LINKED TO FORMER ABIA GOVERNOR. (PHOTO).
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Court Orders Temporary Forfeiture of Funds Linked to Former Abia Governor
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary forfeiture of over ₦228.4 million linked to former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, to the Federal Government.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Fadila Yusuf, filed an ex-parte application alleging that the funds were proceeds of money laundering. In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite directed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order on its website and in a national newspaper, allowing interested parties 14 days to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited.
The EFCC’s application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/03/V/2025, was filed under Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
According to the EFCC, the funds—₦228,497,773.12—were in a Keystone Bank account held by Effdee Nigeria Ltd and were allegedly connected to the misappropriation of public funds during Orji’s tenure as governor. The commission claimed Effdee Nigeria Ltd was used to divert funds from the Abia State Government.
EFCC officer Tahir Ahmed disclosed in his affidavit that intelligence from 2016 and 2017 suggested Effdee Nigeria Ltd was used for laundering state funds. Preliminary investigations revealed substantial deposits from Abia State Government agencies into the account, leaving a balance of ₦228.4 million.
Justice Nwite found the application valid and ordered the funds to be preserved pending the conclusion of investigations and legal proceedings. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025, for a compliance report. Orji, who served as governor and later as a senator, is under investigation for alleged financial misconduct during his time in office.
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