A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 28 for hearing in a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking an order for final forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to former Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji.
Justice Emeka Nwite chose the date yesterday after EFCC’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, informed his court that her client has complied with an earlier order for publication.
Yusuf said: “I wish to state that we have complied by publishing the report on the Commission’s website and in a newspaper, as directed by the court.
She then applied for a date to move the motion on notice for final forfeiture, a request Justice Nwite granted and adjourned till May 28 for the hearing of the motion.
In a supporting affidavit, the EFCC claimed that the money is a subject of investigation by its operatives, which was found in the possession of a firm, Effdee Nigeria Ltd.
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It said the money was suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC added: “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 pretense, 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.”
It stated that the ex-governor and others are being investigated for the allegations following intelligence report received by the Commission against Orji.
According to the anti-graft agency, there is the need to preserve the money pending investigation and/or prosecution.