Former Governor of Abia State and serving Senator, Theodore Orji, has dismissed media reports alleging that a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to him.
Orji described the report, which was credited to the News Agency of Nigeria, as misleading and embarrassing. He clarified that he has no pending case before any court regarding the alleged funds.
Through his aide, Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, Orji expressed shock at what he termed a “costly error of fact” by NAN. He stated that the individuals mentioned in the report, including Erondu Uchenna Erondu, Effdee Nigeria Ltd, and banker Austin Akuma, were neither his aides nor his business associates.
“Our attention has been drawn to a media report claiming that a Federal High Court in Abuja has made an order of interim freezing and forfeiture of the sum of over N228.4 million linked to Senator T.A. Orji to the Federal Government on allegations of money laundering.
“This is to notify the general public that the said report is false and misleading as there is no pending case in any court involving Senator T.A. Orji and Honourable Erondu Uchenna Erondu, a former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, with EFCC as contained in the news report,” the statement read.
Orji pointed out that the story referenced events between Erondu, Austin Akuma of Keystone Bank, Effdee Nigeria Limited, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dating back to 2016 and 2017, long after his tenure as Governor of Abia State ended in 2015.
He said, “The reporter who did not cross-check his story ought to know that the story in question between Erondu, Austin Akuma of Keystone Bank, Effdee Nigeria Limited, and EFCC happened between 2016 and 2017, a few years after Senator T.A. Orji had left office as the Governor of Abia State.”
Senator Orji demanded an immediate retraction of the report and a public apology from NAN for the embarrassment caused by the publication.
“This was a pure case of error of fact by the reporter or his medium. Senator Orji has no such suit pending before any court. Besides, other characters being mentioned in the case were never Orji’s aides and never had any dealings with him.
“Media organizations should try to get their facts correct to avoid misleading their audience. The general public should disregard the misleading publication,” he added.
The former Governor confirmed that his legal team had been instructed to take necessary action regarding the report. He also assured that he remains open to answering any questions from anti-graft agencies regarding his tenure as Governor, maintaining that he has nothing to hide.
“Once again, the said report about a purported court order allegedly freezing the sum of N228.4 million has nothing to do with former Governor Theodore Orji,” the statement added.
