The Federal High Court in Abuja will on May 28 hear the motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking the final forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter after EFCC counsel, Fadila Yusuf informed the court that the agency had complied with a previous order requiring publication of the interim forfeiture order.
At the resumed hearing, Justice Nwite inquired about the status of the matter. In response, Yusuf said it was slated for a report of compliance and confirmed that the commission had published the order on its website and in a national newspaper, as directed by the court.
She then requested a date to move the motion for final forfeiture, prompting the judge to fix the hearing for May 28.
Earlier, on February 13, the judge adjourned proceedings due to the EFCC’s failure to publish the interim forfeiture order as directed. The delay was attributed to the commission’s inability to access the court order on time for publication.
Justice Nwite had granted the interim freezing order on January 3, directing that the N228.4 million be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government based on money laundering allegations.
He also ordered the EFCC to publish the forfeiture notice on its website and in a national newspaper, allowing any interested party 14 days to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited.
The EFCC filed the ex-parte motion pursuant to Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
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The motion dated December 30, 2024, and filed on January 2, 2025, seeks the permanent forfeiture of N228,497,773.12 domiciled with Keystone Bank.
According to the EFCC, the funds were traced to Effdee Nigeria Ltd, a company allegedly involved in defrauding the Abia State Government through conspiracy, abuse of office, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, and diversion of public funds.
The commission suspects that Effdee Nigeria Ltd conspired with former Governor Orji, officials in his administration, and members of his family.
The EFCC stated that the forfeiture is necessary to preserve the funds pending further investigation and/or prosecution.
Additionally, on February 28, the EFCC arraigned Theodore Orji, his son Chinedum Orji, Dr. Philip Nto, and others over an alleged N47 billion fraud.
Other defendants include a contractor, Obioma King, and a former Director of Finance, Romanus Madu. All pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge and were granted bail in the sum of N50 million each.
Crediblenewng.com
