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Court Orders Interim Forfeiture Of ₦228.4Million Linked To Former Abia Governor Theodore Orji

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2 months ago

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Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim freezing and forfeiture of over N228.4 million linked to former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, due to allegations of money laundering.

 

 

The court’s decision was made in response to an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

 

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, directed the EFCC to publish the order on its website and in the Daily Trust newspaper.

 

 

 

This move aims to notify interested parties, giving them 14 days to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the government.

 

 

 

The EFCC alleges that the funds, held in a Keystone Bank account, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Investigations suggest that Effdee Nigeria Ltd, a company linked to Orji’s administration, conspired with the former governor, his family members, and other officials to launder public funds.

 

 

The judge adjourned the matter until February 3 for report of compliance, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

 

 

 

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 December 30, 2024 and filed on January 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.

 

 

 

Tahir Ahmed, a litigation officer with EFCC, said sometime between 2016 and 2017, the commission received an intelligence report against 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 aid 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 former 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.

 

 

Justice Nwite described the application as meritorious and granted the prayers.

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How Mojisola Meranda Allegedly withdrew N5bn from LSHA account days after becoming speaker

Published

3 days ago

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March 12, 2025

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Mudashiru Obasa, the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is embroiled in a fresh dispute with his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, for allegedly authorising the withdrawal of N5 billion from the assembly’s account just days after taking office.

The move came in the wake of her brief stint as speaker following a short-lived impeachment in January.

According to sources familiar with the unfolding drama, the fresh conflict between Obasa and Meranda centers around her approval to disburse the N5 billion for the purchase of 40 units of 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, one for each of the 40 lawmakers.

This newspaper gathered that the purchase was made just days after Meranda was sworn in as Lagos State’s first female speaker on January 13.

“Another serious crisis is brewing in the Lagos Assembly,” a source revealed.

“Mr. Obasa is furious that Meranda didn’t even wait for weeks before withdrawing N5 billion to buy 40 Land Cruisers for lawmakers after replacing him as speaker.”

Obasa, who had plans for the same vehicle purchase before his impeachment, was re-elected as speaker on March 3 following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

Upon his return, Obasa immediately began pressuring Meranda to return the N5 billion, claiming that she had no authority to make such a large disbursement from the assembly’s account.

Meranda’s tenure as speaker lasted just 49 days before she was forced to resign, following intense pressure from President Tinubu and the Lagos APC leadership to restore Obasa to his position.

Sources revealed that before his removal, Obasa had already planned to disburse N7 billion to purchase 45 units of Toyota Fortuner SUVs, intending to give one to each of the 40 members of the Lagos House of Assembly, one for the House clerk, and the remaining vehicles for himself. However, Meranda’s approval of the N5 billion purchase has now disrupted these plans.

“As soon as Obasa was reinstated as speaker, he began putting pressure on Meranda to return the N5 billion used to purchase the Land Cruisers,” one source explained.

“Obasa was about to finalize plans to disburse N7 billion for 45 Toyota Fortuner SUVs, but Meranda’s actions have thrown those plans into disarray.”

In response, Obasa has demanded that Meranda return the 40 vehicles already purchased, a request that has sparked resistance from lawmakers.

Many of the lawmakers, who had opposed Obasa’s return to power, are refusing to hand back the new Land Cruisers in exchange for the older Toyota Fortuner models.

“Obasa is not backing down,” a source said. “He’s insisting that Meranda and the other lawmakers immediately return the Land Cruisers, but they are refusing. They don’t want to give up the latest model of Land Cruisers for the older 2020 Fortuner vehicles, and this is creating more tension in the assembly.”

The dispute continues to escalate, as the standoff between Obasa and Meranda threatens to deepen divisions within the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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Tingo AI: The First AI-Driven Innovation Hub in Africa

Published

1 week ago

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March 6, 2025

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Campus Comprehensive College, Lagos Students Dive into the World of AI and Robotics at Tingo AI’s Educational Tour

 

 

Tingo AI, Africa’s leading artificial intelligence research and innovation center, hosted an interactive and inspiring educational tour for students from [SCHOOL NAME]. The visit was designed to introduce students to the real-world applications of AI, robotics, and automation, providing them with an early glimpse into the future of technology.

 

The students participated in hands-on activities and discussions that explored AI’s impact on education, business, entertainment, and public services. The engaging session included:

 

✅ AI for Everyday Life: Students saw live demonstrations of how AI enhances industries like healthcare, finance, and creative arts.

✅ Robotics Challenge: Teams designed and programmed robots to complete problem-solving tasks, sparking their creativity.

✅ AI Ethics & Innovation Discussion: Experts engaged students in thought-provoking conversations about the future of AI and ethical technology use.

✅ Career Pathway Insights: Students learned about exciting AI-related career opportunities and the skills required for success in the digital economy.

 

Tingo AI’s visionary founder, Dozy Mmobuosi, also shared his enthusiasm about empowering young minds with AI knowledge, stating:

“Exposing students to AI early is critical for Africa’s technological future. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s innovators, and experiences like this help shape a new generation of tech leaders.”

 

The visit reinforced Tingo AI’s commitment to bridging the gap between AI education and practical application, ensuring that students across Nigeria have access to cutting-edge knowledge and inspiration.

 

Stay connected with us @tingoai_ for more groundbreaking innovations and educational experiences.

 

#TingoAI #AIinAfrica #FutureLeaders #ArtificialIntelligence #TechRevolution #DozyMmobuosi #NextGenTech #InnovateAfrica #AIForEducation

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Senate advises Natasha to obey rules as she refuses to stand up for Akpabio’s entrance

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1 week ago

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March 6, 2025

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The Senate on Thursday advised Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to respect and obey the rules and orders of the legislative institution.

Rising on Order 55(1), the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Monguno pointed out that “it is the Rules and Order of the Senate that when the Senate President is being ushered into the chamber by the Sergeant-at-arms, all senators must stand up”.

The chief whip regretted that Natasha disrespected the Rules and Order of the Senate on Wednesday and Thursday by refusing to stand up like other senators, as required, when Akpabio entered the chamber.

He called on the female lawmaker to abide by the rules, irrespective of any circumstances, noting that the institution must be protected at all costs.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio sustained the order and urged all senators to be guided.

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