Court orders investigation into 17 local government

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has ordered an investigation into the use of funds allocated to the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Abia State from 2019 to 2023.

In a ruling by Justice Bello Kawu, the court directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to submit to its Registry a Certified True Copy (CTC) of its investigation report or provide detailed information on the utilization of these funds within the specified period.

Additionally, the court ordered the seizure of international travel documents belonging to three former Abia State government officials: the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon. Prince Christopher Enweremadu; a former aide to the immediate past Governor, Erondu Uchenna Erondu; and Deaconess Joy Nwanju, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. They are required to surrender their passports to the court’s Registry following the service of the order.

The individuals are defendants in a case (FCT/HC/CV/4961/2024) brought by an activist, Mr. Chidiebere Ojukwu, an Abia State resident and advocate for public accountability. Justice Kawu, acting on an ex-parte application filed by the plaintiff, also directed the defendants to provide within 48 hours:A declaration of companies in which they have an interest or hold directorship.

Relevant company documents, including Forms CAC7 and CAC 7A, Memorandum and Articles of Association, annual returns filed with regulatory bodies, and audited financial statements from 2019 to date.

Personal and company tax clearance certificates, bank account details (local and foreign), and a list of movable and immovable properties.

The court further instructed that the defendants be served the orders via substituted means through the Abia State Liaison Office in Abuja. The matter is set for hearing on December 9, 2024.

The plaintiff sought a determination on whether the defendants are personally liable for refunding over ₦500 billion allocated to the 17 LGAs from the Federation Account between May 2019 and May 2023, alleging mismanagement under the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The suit also seeks to compel the EFCC to prosecute the defendants based on their alleged roles in managing these funds. The plaintiff emphasized the need for accountability, noting the absence of elected officials in Abia LGAs during the period in question, with transition chairmen managing LGA funds in contravention of constitutional provisions.

The plaintiff further alleged that although the EFCC previously interrogated one of the defendants, the findings of the investigation remain undisclosed. He stressed the importance of transparency in governance and the effective management of public funds to restore public trust.