By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order freezing and forfeiting over ₦228.4 million, allegedly linked to former Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, to the Federal Government.

The funds are reportedly connected to a money laundering investigation conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order in response to an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC counsel, Fadila Yusuf. The court also directed the EFCC to publicize the order on its official website and in the Daily Trust newspaper, inviting interested parties to present their case within 14 days of publication.

The motion, filed under Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, seeks to freeze funds totaling ₦228,497,773.12 held in an account at Keystone Bank. The funds are alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Yusuf stated in her arguments that the money was found in the possession of Effdee Nigeria Ltd, a company suspected of conspiring with Senator Theodore Orji, officials of his administration, and family members to defraud the Abia State Government through conspiracy, abuse of office, money laundering, and diversion of public funds.

The EFCC began investigating Orji and his associates in 2016 following intelligence reports. According to Tahir Ahmed, an EFCC litigation officer, Effdee Nigeria Ltd, a sewage and waste disposal company, was allegedly used to launder government funds during Orji’s tenure as governor.

Ahmed revealed that the funds were funneled through Keystone Bank accounts with the assistance of the bank’s divisional head in Umuahia, Austin Akuma. Akuma reportedly collaborated with Erondu Uchenna Erondu, a Special Adviser in Orji’s administration, to distribute the diverted funds to various accounts and withdraw cash, which was then delivered to the Government House.

The EFCC’s analysis of Effdee Nigeria Ltd’s account revealed significant inflows from Abia State Government agencies, leaving a balance of ₦228,497,773.12. The commission argued that freezing the funds was necessary to prevent their dissipation while investigations continue.

Justice Nwite, after reviewing the EFCC’s submission, deemed the application meritorious and granted the interim order. The court adjourned the matter to February 3, 2025, for a compliance report.

This ruling underscores the government’s commitment to tackling corruption and recovering misappropriated funds. However, it also raises questions about the systemic abuse of office and the mechanisms enabling such diversions of public resources. The next steps will involve determining whether the frozen funds are indeed proceeds of illicit activities and ensuring justice is served.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticized the Federal Government’s proposed National Youth Conference, calling it a ploy to favor President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, and his associates.

Speaking during an interview on Lunchtime Politics on Wednesday, Sowore alleged that the conference is unlikely to address the real issues facing Nigerian youths. Instead, he described it as a politically motivated initiative aimed at rewarding select individuals.

The current administration is trying to reward the youths who are aligned with them, particularly the President’s son and his associates,” Sowore said, branding the initiative as unproductive.

President Tinubu, in his Independence Day broadcast on October 1, announced plans for a 30-day National Youth Conference. He highlighted the need for a platform where young Nigerians could discuss challenges and opportunities.

“In light of this, I am pleased to announce the organization of a National Youth Conference. This conference will serve as a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who make up over 60 percent of our population,” Tinubu stated.

Sowore, however, expressed skepticism about the conference’s intentions and outcomes. He argued that the initiative is unlikely to yield substantial results and accused the government of deliberately excluding genuine youth voices.

These young people being invited to the conference are likely Seyi Tinubu’s friends, not the actual representatives of Nigerian youths,” Sowore alleged. “They cannot allow genuine, critical youth voices at the table. If I were invited, I would decline because I already know this is a charade. Nothing meaningful will come out of it.”

He further criticized the initiative as an attempt to create the illusion of inclusivity. “The whole idea is to make young people feel involved—like they belong—while livestreaming the event and compensating select individuals. But in the end, it will achieve nothing,” he said.

Sowore emphasized that Nigerian youths do not need a conference to take meaningful action. Instead, he urged young people who are serious about governance and leadership to unite and work collectively to achieve their goals.

“The real transformation will come when serious-minded young people join forces to take over power and implement their vision. That is how change will happen—not through superficial conferences,” Sowore concluded.

This critique highlights the ongoing debate about youth participation in governance and whether government-led initiatives genuinely address their needs or serve as political tools.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Brito Sporting Club of Portugal, a football club founded in 1956, has signed an official contract with a United Kingdom-based highly-talented, young Nigeria-born footballer, Yaqub Usman-Malah.

The official unveiling of the young promising footballer was carried out on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Yaqub, born in Nigeria in 2006, is a budding Nigerian talent with unquantifiable promise and potential.

Prior to his official contract with Brito Sporting Club of Portugal, he was a student and a trainee player with the Brooke College Football Academy in the United Kingdom.

At Brooke College Football Academy, Yaqub had an impressive goal average of 17 goals in 32 matches with no injuries in 116 training days, cumulating into 2, 270 minutes of on-field action.

A clear testimony of his outstanding performance at the Academy was provided by the lead coach of the Under-17B team Yaqub played with.

The lead coach, Tomasz Wasylik, described Yaqub as a ‘well-liked person’ and a role model to his teammates due to his professionalism and unmatched work rate.

The Lead Coach further stated that Yaqub has played in National School Cup competitions against other colleges and programmes in the 2023/2024 session and is a good ‘tactical player’, ‘technically good” and can ‘play in multiple positions on the field’.

It is expected that Yaqub will live to the potential and promise identified by Coach Tomasz Wasylik of the Brooke College Football Academy and achieve greatness in his new club.

“While looking forward to the display of his unarguable skills and boundless stamina, we wish Yaqub a successful career and a place in the halls of football greatness across the globe,” Yaqub’s father, Mr Usman Malah said in a statement issued to the media, on Wednesday 8, 2025.

END.