The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to investigate the funds allocated to local government areas (LGAs) in Abia State between 2019 and 2023.

This comes after the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Apo, granted approval for the investigation.

The court stated that the purpose of the inquiry is to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the allocated funds.

In its ruling, delivered by Justice Bello Kawu, the court instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to submit a Certified True Copy (CTC) of its investigation report, detailing the status of funds allocated to the LGAs over the past four years, to its Registry.

Additionally, the court directed the seizure of international travel documents from three former Abia State government officials.

The individuals ordered to surrender their international passports to the court’s Registry upon receiving the order include Rt. Hon. Prince Christopher Enweremadu, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Erondu Uchenna Erondu, former aide to the state’s previous governor, and Deaconess Joy Nwanju, the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

The three individuals were named as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants in the main suit, FCT/HC/CV/4961/2024, filed by activist Mr. Chidiebere Ojukwu, an Abia State citizen and advocate for transparency in public fund management.

Justice Kawu issued the orders following an ex-parte application by the Plaintiff. The EFCC was listed as the 4th Defendant in the case.

The court also approved the shortening of the time for the hearing and instructed the Defendants to produce specific documents. It ordered that within 48 hours of receiving the order, the Defendants must file an affidavit with the court’s Registry, detailing all companies in which they have an interest or hold a directorial position, along with their CAC7 and CAC7A forms.

The court requested additional documents, including the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the companies, as well as evidence of filing Annual Returns with the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Corporate Affairs Commission from 2019 to the present.

Justice Kawu adjourned the case until December 9 and directed that all relevant processes be served on the EFCC.

The Plaintiff sought a determination from the court on whether, under Section 7 of the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants should be personally liable to refund to the Government of Abia State the total amount due to the 17 Local Governments from May 29, 2019, to May 29, 2023, which was received from the Federation Account/Consolidated Revenue Fund, exceeding Five Hundred Billion Naira.

The Plaintiff also sought a determination on whether the actions of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants regarding the funds of the 17 Local Governments of Abia State, from May 29, 2019, to May 29, 2023, under the Abia State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, have created circumstances that warrant the exercise of prosecutorial powers by the 4th Defendant.

The Plaintiff also sought an order from the court directing the 4th Defendant (EFCC) to immediately prosecute the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants for their involvement in the management of funds belonging to the 17 Local Governments of Abia State from May 29, 2019, to May 29, 2023, under the Abia State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

In an 18-paragraph affidavit supporting the suit, the Plaintiff stated that the Government of Abia State received over N5 billion from the Federation Account and the Joint Account Allocation Committee between 2019 and 2023 for the benefit of the 17 LGAs.

The Plaintiff further noted, “During this period, the Abia State Government, through the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABIEC), failed to conduct elections for the legislative seats in the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State. Additionally, there were no elected Local Government Chairmen during this time; instead, the state appointed ‘Transition Chairmen,’ a practice not recognized by the Nigerian Constitution.”

He further stated, “The three primary Defendants were responsible for overseeing all funds allocated to the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs from 2019 to 2023. The Plaintiff told the court that, although the EFCC had questioned the 2nd Defendant at the end of the previous administration about the management of these funds, it never disclosed the results of its investigation.

“The current Abia State Government has consistently expressed its concerns, in various public forums, about the reckless mismanagement of state resources by the previous administration. This public interest case arises from the need to enforce accountability and efficiency in managing public funds, particularly by those entrusted with public office.

“The suit aims to ensure that the 4th Defendant, the EFCC, consistently carries out its statutory duties, regardless of the political status or affiliation of anyone suspected of mismanaging public resources or undermining the public trust.”