Alleged Abia Treasury Looting: Court Bars Ikpeazu’s Aides, Erondu Uchenna, From Traveling; Orders Surrender Of Passports

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo has ordered a former Aide to Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and a current State Lawmaker, ERONDU UCHENNA, and three others to surrender their travel permits within 48 hours over allegations of looting monies meant for the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State between May, 2019 and May, 2023 in excess of Five Hundred Billion Naira.

In a suit brought by CHIDIEBERE OJUKWU, a concerned Abia indigene, the Claimant prayed the Court for different reliefs including:

1. A DECLARATION of this Honourable Court that in view of Sections 7 of the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants are PERSONALLY liable to REFUND to the coffers of the Government of Abia State of Nigeria the total sum of money due to the 17 Local Governments of Abia State from **29th May, 2019 to 29th May, 2023** and received from the Federation Account/Consolidated Revenue Fund [in excess of Five Hundred Billion Naira].

2. A DECLARATION of this Honourable Court that the activities of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants in relation to the funds belonging to the 17 Local Governments of Abia State from 29th May, 2019 to 29th May, 2023 [under the Abia State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs] have created the circumstances warranting the exercise of the prosecutorial powers of the 4th Defendant.

3. AN ORDER of this Honourable Court directing the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants to return FORTHWITH into the treasury of Abia State of Nigeria all the monies due to the 17 Local Governments of Abia State from 29th May, 2019 to 29th May, 2023 and received from the Federation Account/Consolidated Revenue Fund [in excess of Five Hundred Billion Naira].

4. AN ORDER of this Honourable Court directing the 4th Defendant to FORTHWITH prosecute 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants in relation to the roles each and every one of them played relating to the funds belonging to the 17 Local Governments of Abia State from 29th May, 2019 to 29th May, 2023 [under the Abia State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs].

Named as the 1st, 3rd and 4th Defendants are Rt. Hon. Prince Christopher Enweremadu, Deaconess Joy Nwanju and the Economic and Financial Commission.

Meanwhile, the Court had earlier in an ex-parte application ordered the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents to, within 48 hours of the service of the Court’s Order on them, declare on oath and file with the Registry of the Honourable Court the following documents:

(a) List of all companies they have interest in or occupy the position of a Director
(b) Forms CAC7 & CAC 7A of such companies
(c) Memorandum and article of Association of such companies
(d) Evidence of filing Annual Returns with the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Corporate Affairs Commission from 2019 to date.
(e) Audited Financial Statement of such companies from 2019 to date
(f) Self-Assessment Forms filed with the FIRS
(g) Individual Tax Clearance Certificate from 2019 to date
(h)List of bank accounts details of such companies (if any)
(i) List of individual bank accounts (both domestic and foreign)
(j) List of moveable and immoveable properties (both developed and undeveloped) within Nigeria and outside Nigeria.

The Court equally ordered the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondent to, within 48 hours of the service of the Court’s Order on them, deposit with the Registry of the Honourable Court all their international travel documents including but not limited to international passports and travel permits PENDING the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

Upon the matter being called yesterday, at the instance of the Claimant’s Counsel, Justice Kawu adjourned the hearing of the Motion on Notice to 9th December, 2024 to enable the Claimant serve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.