A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the nation’s capital, has made an interim order forfeiting two Abuja properties linked to the former Governor of Anambra State, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, to the Federal Government.

Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite, made the order following a motion ex-parte with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/327/2020 dated March 6, 2020, filed  by counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho.

Arguing the motion, brought under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud-related offences Act, 2006, the EFCC Counsel, prayed the court for an interim order forfeiting the properties at Plots 1032 & 1033 Cadastral Zone, A03 Takum Close, Off Michika Street, Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki Abuja.

The Prosecution Counsel also prayed the Court for an order directing the publication of the interim order in any national newspaper for person(s) to show cause within 14 days, why the final order of forfeiture of the properties which the anti-graft agency reasonably suspected to be proceeds of  unlawful activities, wherein Sen. Okorocha awarded contracts to two of his companies in his capacity as Governor of Anambra State.

According to Iheanaco, an official of the EFCC, who deposed to the supporting affidavit, Ani Davies Stanley, stated that the investigation revealed funds earmarked for some projects in Anambra State were used in developing the properties in question.

He submitted that on Sept. 26, 2018, Sen. Okorocha, awarded a contract for the renovation/maintenance of Government House facilities to De-Orign Concept Limited at the cost of N620 million and made transfer of the sum of  N427 million from Imo State Treasury Project account to the contractor‘s Zenth Bank account No 1015954694 between Oct. 31, 2018, and Nov. 1, 2018.

He also submitted that sometime in 2018, the former Governor awarded a contract to Baranda Ventures Limited, whose Managing Director is Adedipe Adeayoe, for the construction of Urualla to Obiohia to Ogboke to Umumarsiaku link road with 2 bridges and construction of Owus Avenue Shopping Mall and Modern Building Materials Market at Oru.

Iheanaco further submitted that over N2.7 billion was transferred from the state treasury project account as well as the Joint State Local Government Account to the contractor’s Zenith Bank account number: 1013597006 between Dec. 12, 2018, and May 2, 2019.

The anti-graft Counsel finally told the Court that in April 2019, Baranda Ventures Limited transferred N50 million each to Abtisal Global Limited and Archivisual Solutions Limited, an offence which bothers on conspiracy and money laundering.

While adjourning the matter to April 13, 2022 for hearing, the court also ordered the EFCC to publish the order on a national daily for the interested person(s) to show cause within 14 days why the final forfeiture order should not be made.