A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered interim freezing and forfeiture of over N228.4 million linked to former Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State to the Nigerian government on allegations of money laundering.
Penpushing reports that Justice Emeka Nwite, gave the order in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, also directed the crimes commission to make publication of the order on its website and Daily Trust Newspaper.
The order emphasized that interested parties should show cause within 14 days of the publication of the order, while the judge adjourned the matter until February 3, 2025 for a report of compliance.
Penpushing further reports that the agency had, in the motion, ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/03/V/2025, brought the suit under Section 44(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The motion dated December 30, 2024 and filed on January 2, by the counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was also brought under the court’s inherent jurisdiction which sought an order granting an interim freezing and forfeiture of N228, 497, 773. 12 domiciled with Keystone Bank set out in the schedule attached to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Penpushing also reports that the lawyer equally sought an order authorising the commission to make publication of interim freezing/forfeiture order made by this honourable court on the agency website and Daily Trust Newspaper and the interested parties to show cause within 14 days of the publication of the order.”
The counsel in her five-ground argument, said the money described in the schedule was the subject matter of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and found in the possession of Effdee Nigeria Limited, stressing that it was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
“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.
“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,” she said.
Penpushing reports that Yusuf pointed out that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was investigating them for the allegations following an intelligence report received by the commission against Orji who was also a two-term senator representing Abia Central District before retiring from active politics, arguing that preserving the money pending investigation and or prosecution is necessary.
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