Connect with us

Published

on

banner
A Federal High Court in Abuja has made an order of interim freezing and forfeiture of the sum of over N228.4 million linked to former Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia to Federal Government on allegations of money laundering.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, also directed the EFCC to make publication of the order on its website and Daily Trust Newspaper.
According to Justice Nwite’s order, interested parties should show cause within 14 days of the publication of the order.
The judge adjourned the matter until Feb. 3 for report of compliance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Orji also served as two-term senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District before his retirement from active politics.
The anti-graft agency had, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/03/V/2025, brought the suit pursuant to 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 Dec. 30, 2024 and filed Jan. 2 by Yusuf, was also brought under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The lawyer sought an order granting an interim freezing and forfeiture of the sum of N228, 497, 773. 12 domiciled with Keystone Bank set out in the schedule attached to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
She also sought “an order authorising the commission to make publication of interim freezing/forfeiture order made by this honourable court on the EFCC website and Daily Trust Newspaper and the interested parties to show cause within 14 days of the publication of the order.”
The lawyer, in her five-ground argument, said the money described in the schedule was subject matter of investigation by the EFCC and found in the possession of Effdee Nigeria Ltd.
She said 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.
Yusuf said they were being investigated by EFCC for the allegations following intelligence report received by the commission against Orji.
According to her, there is need to preserve the monies pending investigation and/or prosecution.
Tahir Ahmed, a litigation officer with EFCC, said sometimes between 2016 and 2017, the commission received an intelligence report against Sen. Orji, some officials in his administration and his family members.
He averred that Effdee Nigeria Limited, a sewage and waste disposal entity, was used by the former governor, some officials in his administration and his family members for the diversion and laundering of Abia Government funds while Orji was in office.
“The company was used to siphon funds and divert monies with the ald of some officials of Keystone Bank,
“The Intelligence report was assigned to the Economic Governance Section of the commission for investigation,” he said.
He said the team commenced Investigation into the case which led to the arrest of Austin Akuma, the Divisional Head of Keystone Bank Pic in Umuahia who was discovered to be the middleman between the contractor (Effdee Nigeria Limited) and Erondu Uchenna Erondu, Special Adviser, General Duties to the forer governor.
He alleged that the banker, in a statement made upon words of caution at the EFCC office, stated that it was agreed between himself (Akuma) and Erondu that the contractor’s company, Effdee Nigeria Limited, would be used to received funds from Abia State Government accounts.
“Thereafter the contractor would distribute these monies to several accounts of specific customers of the bank to be provided by the banker after which these various customers would withdraw cash and return same to the banker who in turn takes the cash to the Special Adviser in the Government House,” he alleged, attaching the statements made as Exhibit EFCC 1.
According to him, letters of investigation activities were also written to Keystone Bank and analysis of the statement of the above account of Effdee Nigeria Limited revealed substantial inflow from various agencies in Abia State Government leaving a balance of N228, 497, 773.12.
Ahmed, however, said that investigation was still ongoing in relation to the allegations received against the suspects.
He said there was need to preserve the res to prevent the dissipation of the above mentioned monies pending the conclusion of investigation and conclusion of the multifarious criminal complaints and ongoing investigations pertaining to the suspects.
After Yusuf moved the motion, Justice Nwite, who said the application was meritorious, granted the prayers.(NAN)
banner
Continue Reading
Advertisement

News

80 repentant militants surrender arms, assorted weapons to Nigerian Army

Published

on

banner

80 repentant militants surrender arms, assorted weapons to Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the voluntary surrender of 80 militants in Cross River State under the amnesty programme of the state government.

Advertisement

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Maj. Yemi Sokoya, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Sokoya said that the militants surrendered in the early hours of Friday, at Atimbo Rear Area, following Operation OKWOK, in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, within the area of responsibility of the 13 Brigade.

Advertisement

According to him, the repentant militants emerged from two camps, with one group led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, presenting 39 fighters.

He said that the second camp, headed by John Isaac, also known as Akpokolo, submitted 41 fighters.

Advertisement

Sokoya added that assorted arms, ammunition and other items, were also voluntarily surrendered during the exercise.

He said that these included: rifles, pump-action guns, single-barrel weapons, magazines, ammunition, speed boats, boat engines and other military-related equipment.

Advertisement

The Commander, 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Paul Alimikhena, described the development as a major confidence-building milestone.

He attributed it to sustained military operations, constructive engagement and effective collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies.

Advertisement

He said that the brigade would continue to provide a secure environment, while supporting lawful initiatives aimed at reintegrating repentant youths, and ensuring lasting peace across in the area.

The commander said that the surrendered militants had been handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team and were undergoing profiling by the state’s Department of State Services (DSS).

Advertisement

He commended the State Government, under Gov. Bassey Otu, for its commitment to peace and security.

He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information. (NAN)

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

News

My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help

Published

on

banner

My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help

A Harare woman, Melocia Gwata, has successfully obtained a court-issued protection order against her husband, George Kusotera, following allegations of excessive sexual demands and physical abuse.

Advertisement

The case was heard at the Harare Civil Court before Magistrate Judith Taruvinga, where Melocia detailed the severity of her ordeal. She told the court that her husband had coerced her into sexual activity up to eight times a night, resorting to violence whenever she refused.

“He wants to have s3x every day and wakes me up in the middle of the night, even after we’ve been intimate countless times on the same day,” Melocia stated.

Advertisement

She further described how the abuse extended beyond physical coercion, with George allegedly threatening divorce and verbally assaulting her in front of their children.

“He has been assaulting me in front of our children, shouting obscenities and telling them I don’t deserve to be called their mother,” she added, highlighting the emotional toll the behaviour has taken on her and the family.

Advertisement

In response, George acknowledged his actions, apologising to his wife and attributing his conduct to love. “I did not realise I was making her uncomfortable. I apologise and promise not to physically abuse her anymore,” he told the court.

After hearing both sides, Magistrate Taruvinga granted Melocia a protection order, legally preventing her husband from further abuse and ensuring her safety.

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

News

Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base

Published

on

banner

Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base

Nigerian troops have successfully neutralised several terrorists and thwarted coordinated attacks in Adamawa and Borno States.

Advertisement

The Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, announced that the successes followed swift and decisive responses by soldiers to attempts by insurgents to overrun military formations in the North-East.

In a statement issued on Friday, Acting Media Information Officer of the Task Force, Lieutenant Solomon Atokolo, confirmed that the operations resulted in heavy casualties for the terrorists.

Advertisement

He explained that the first attack took place in the early hours of January 16, 2026, when insurgents targeted a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Atokolo stated that troops under Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai quickly engaged the attackers and successfully repelled them. He added that reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force were promptly mobilised to support the operation, ensuring that the assault was decisively crushed.

Advertisement

“The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to our troops or damage to equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack,” the statement said.

He added that security forces later carried out clearance operations in the surrounding area, scanning for improvised explosive devices and booby traps to guarantee the safety of both civilians and personnel.

Advertisement

In a separate incident on the same day, terrorists staged a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State.

The attackers attempted to breach the base’s defensive perimeter but were met with fierce resistance from troops. With support from the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms, the soldiers unleashed sustained firepower that compelled the insurgents to retreat.

Advertisement

Although rocket-propelled grenade fire from the terrorists damaged some troop-carrying vehicles and partially affected the base’s CCTV control room, Atokolo said troops maintained full control of the situation and prevented any further breach.

The military spokesperson disclosed that several weapons and ammunition were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.

Advertisement

Items seized included a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

The Joint Task Force commended the professionalism and resilience of the troops, reaffirming its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at restoring lasting peace and security to the North-East region.

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

Trending

© 2025, All Rights Reserved | Crime Channels