A federal high court in Abuja has granted the interim forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to Theodore Orji, the former governor of Abia State, over alleged money laundering.
Orji served as the governor of Abia from 2007 to 2015 and later as a senator representing Abia Central District between 2015 and 2023. The presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, issued the interim forfeiture order following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Counsel to the EFCC, Fadila Yusuf, moved the application.
The judge directed the EFCC to publish the order on its website and in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited within 14 days of the publication. The case was adjourned to February 3.
In the ex parte application dated December 30, 2024, and filed on January 2, Yusuf requested an order for the interim forfeiture and freezing of the funds held in a Keystone Bank account. She argued that the funds, held by Effdee Nigeria Ltd., were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Yusuf told the court that the company had 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,” she 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 argued that the funds needed to be preserved pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution. Yusuf added that the EFCC was investigating Orji based on an intelligence report received against him.
Supporting the application, Tahir Ahmed, a litigation officer with the EFCC, informed the court that Effdee Nigeria Ltd., 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 revealed that the investigation showed Austin Akuma, the divisional head of Keystone Bank in Abia, acted as a middleman between Effdee Nigeria Ltd. and Erondu Uchenna Erondu, an aide to the former governor.
Akuma reportedly told the EFCC that he and Erondu agreed the company’s account would be used to receive funds from the Abia State government’s accounts. An analysis of the company’s bank records revealed substantial inflows from various state agencies, leaving a balance of N228,497,773.12.
In August 2021, the EFCC had interrogated Orji and his son over allegations of diverting state funds during his tenure as governor.
