Theodore Orji denies link to alleged fraud as EFCC targets N228m in forfeiture case

Theodore Orji, former governor of Abia state, has denied any involvement in fraudulent transactions linked to Effdee Nigeria Limited, a company under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On January 3, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, ordered the interim forfeiture of N228,497,773.12 following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The order followed an ex parte application by EFCC counsel, Fadila Yusuf, who argued that the funds are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The lawyer said the company allegedly conspired with Orji and some other officials to defraud the Abia state government.

“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,” NAN quoted Yusuf as saying.

“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.”

The court has also fixed May 28 to hear an application by the EFCC for permanent forfeiture of the funds.

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 claimed 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,” he said.

“The Intelligence report was assigned to the Economic Governance Section of the commission for investigation.”

He said the team commenced an investigation into the case which led to the arrest of Austin Akuma, the divisional head of Keystone Bank Pic in Umuahia, who was alleged to be the middleman between the contractor (Effdee Nigeria Limited) and Erondu Uchenna Erondu, special adviser, general duties to the former governor.

’BASELESS ALLEGATIONS’

But in a statement by his liaison office on Tuesday, Orji described the allegations as “baseless” and “malicious”.

He also denied having any associations with Erondu and Akuma, adding that neither of them had any role in his administration.

“Senator Orji further denied any knowledge of, or connection to, Effdee Nigeria Limited – the company wrongly linked to him in the report,” the statement reads.

“This publication is not only false but also maliciously intended to damage Senator Orji’s hard-earned reputation. He is a man known for his integrity and dedication to public service.”