SEN. T. A. ORJI TO FORFEIT N228.4 MILLION TO EFCC

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 28 to hear the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s motion seeking an order for final forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji (TA Orji)

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter to hear the motion after the EFCC’s counsel, Fadila Yusuf, informed the court that the agency had complied with the earlier order of court.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Nwite asked Yusuf what was the position of the matter.

The lawyer said that the matter was slated for report of compliance.

Yusuf, therefore, applied for a date to move their motion on notice for final forfeiture and the judge adjourned the matter until May 28 for motion.

Justice Nwite, on Feruary. 13, adjourned proceedings in the forfeiture case until April 7.

The adjournment followed the inability of the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order of the sum of over N228.4 million in the national dailies as directed.

The lawyer had hinged the delay on the inability of her office to access the order on time to enable them place the publication on their website and the newspaper.

Justice Nwite had, on January 3, granted an order of temporary freezing of the funds to the Federal Government on allegations of money laundering.

The judge, in that ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by Yusuf also directed the commission to make publication of the order on its website and Daily Trust Newspaper.

The judge directed that interested parties should show cause within 14 days of the publication of the order why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal government.