By Hauwau Shehu Maikeffi
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 28 for the hearing of a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of ₦228.4 million allegedly linked to former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji. 
The EFCC’s investigation reportedly uncovered that the funds in question were traced to the former governor, prompting the commission to seek their forfeiture. The anti-graft agency had previously secured an interim forfeiture order from the court, which temporarily allowed the government to take custody of the funds pending further proceedings.
The upcoming hearing aims to determine whether the interim forfeiture should be made permanent. A final forfeiture order would result in the permanent transfer of the funds to the federal government. Such orders are typically granted when the court is satisfied that the assets in question are proceeds of unlawful activities.
Theodore Orji served as the Governor of Abia State from 2007 to 2015. Following his governorship, he was elected as the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, serving from 2015 until 2023. During his tenure as governor, Orji faced several allegations of financial misconduct, leading to investigations by anti-corruption agencies.
This case is part of the EFCC’s broader mandate to combat corruption and recover assets believed to be proceeds of crime. The commission has been actively pursuing cases involving former public officials, aiming to promote accountability and transparency within Nigeria’s political landscape.
The scheduled hearing on May 28 will be pivotal in determining the fate of the ₦228.4 million linked to former Governor Theodore Orji. The outcome could have significant implications for ongoing anti-corruption efforts and the legal precedents surrounding asset forfeiture in Nigeria.
