Justice Bello Kawu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to submit a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the investigation report on the funds allocated to 17 local government areas in Abia State from 2019 to 2023.
The judge gave the order while delivering a ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Chidiebere Ojukwu on the alleged misappropriation of the 17 LGA funds in the four-year period.
The CTC of the order made on November 20 was released to journalists on Thursday in Abuja.
Alternatively, Justice Kawu directed the EFCC to submit a detailed status of the funds allocated to the LGAs within four years.
The judge equally ordered a probe into how funds allocated to the LGAs from 2019 to 2023 were spent.
He ordered the seizure of international travelling documents of three former officials of the Abia State government.
The officials are the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Christopher Enweremadu, a former aide to the immediate past Governor of the state, Erondu Erondu, and the Permanent Secretary attached to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Joy Nwanju.
They were listed as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants in the substantive suit marked: FCT/HC/CV/4961/2024, brought by Ojukwu, who also identified himself as an advocate for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
The EFCC was listed as the 4th defendant in the matter.
Meanwhile, the judge, who approved the abridgment of time within which the matter would be heard, also listed some documents the defendants should produce in court.
He held that the defendants should within 48 hours of the service of the order on them, declare on oath and file with the court registry, a list of all the companies they have interest in or positions occupy, as well as Forms CAC7 & CAC 7A of such companies.
Justice Kawu adjourned the matter till December 9 and ordered the service of all the processes on the EFCC.
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