In a major shakeup, a Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital has ordered the interim forfeiture of funds totaling ₦1.4 billion allegedly traced to accounts linked to Grace Umezurike, the Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government (SSG), and one Ngene Nwanna Onyeabor.
Court documents indicated that the funds are domiciled in multiple accounts with United Bank for Africa (UBA), including one in the name of Affordable Multi Services Nigeria Limited.
The funds spread across several accounts in the said bank includes:
₦522,976.82 – Account No. 1026599396 (Affordable Multi Services Nigeria Ltd)
₦67,750,703.13 – Account No. 1026295997 (Grace Umezurike)
₦19,755,789.85 – Account No. 2005806782 (Grace Umezurike)
₦48,068,202.89 – Account No. 2243253283 (Grace Umezurike)
₦1,014,539,360.03 – Account No. 2359706585 (Ngene Nwanna Onyeabor)
₦101,004.24 – Account No. 2108104891 (Grace Umezurike)
In total, the frozen assets amount to more than ₦1.4 billion.
Similarly, the court further ordered that the respondents and any other interested parties show cause within the period why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The EFCC was also directed to publish the necessary notices for interested persons before the final determination of the case.
Governor Nwifuru Reacts
Reacting to the development, the state Governor, Francis Nwifuru during a church service at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki on Sunday, called for calm amid rising tensions and urged the public not to jump to conclusions.
He said, “I received the news of a publication which was already before the Federal High Court Uyo about our Secretary to the State Government. She is presumed innocent until investigation reveals otherwise. I am a lawyer and I know it is imperative to establish the facts before judgment to avoid setting wrong precedents.”
The governor maintained that the government would allow due process to run its course, underscoring that his administration would not shield anyone found culpable.
Meanwhile the interim forfeiture order has triggered widespread discussions in Ebonyi’s political circles, with many describing the development as a major crisis for the Nwifuru administration.
Analysts say the coming weeks will determine whether the matter is a mere legal hurdle or a deeper issue that could reshape the state’s political setting.