Court Temporarily Freezes ₦228.4 Million Linked to Ex-Abia Governor Orji

Court Temporarily Freezes ₦228.4 Million Linked to Ex-Abia Governor Orji

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order freezing and forfeiting over ₦228.4 million, allegedly linked to former Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, to the Federal Government.

The funds are reportedly connected to a money laundering investigation conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order in response to an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC counsel, Fadila Yusuf. The court also directed the EFCC to publicize the order on its official website and in the Daily Trust newspaper, inviting interested parties to present their case within 14 days of publication.

The motion, filed under Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, seeks to freeze funds totaling ₦228,497,773.12 held in an account at Keystone Bank. The funds are alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Yusuf stated in her arguments that the money was found in the possession of Effdee Nigeria Ltd, a company suspected of conspiring with Senator Theodore Orji, officials of his administration, and family members to defraud the Abia State Government through conspiracy, abuse of office, money laundering, and diversion of public funds.

The EFCC began investigating Orji and his associates in 2016 following intelligence reports. According to Tahir Ahmed, an EFCC litigation officer, Effdee Nigeria Ltd, a sewage and waste disposal company, was allegedly used to launder government funds during Orji’s tenure as governor.

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Ahmed revealed that the funds were funneled through Keystone Bank accounts with the assistance of the bank’s divisional head in Umuahia, Austin Akuma. Akuma reportedly collaborated with Erondu Uchenna Erondu, a Special Adviser in Orji’s administration, to distribute the diverted funds to various accounts and withdraw cash, which was then delivered to the Government House.

The EFCC’s analysis of Effdee Nigeria Ltd’s account revealed significant inflows from Abia State Government agencies, leaving a balance of ₦228,497,773.12. The commission argued that freezing the funds was necessary to prevent their dissipation while investigations continue.

Justice Nwite, after reviewing the EFCC’s submission, deemed the application meritorious and granted the interim order. The court adjourned the matter to February 3, 2025, for a compliance report.

This ruling underscores the government’s commitment to tackling corruption and recovering misappropriated funds. However, it also raises questions about the systemic abuse of office and the mechanisms enabling such diversions of public resources. The next steps will involve determining whether the frozen funds are indeed proceeds of illicit activities and ensuring justice is served.

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