Court Orders Temporary Seizure Of ₦1bn Linked To Ebonyi SSG — Gov. Nwifuru Cautions Against Premature Judgment

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has said his administration will not jump to conclusions over the recent court-ordered interim forfeiture of over ₦1 billion linked to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Grace Umezurike, and her aide, Ngene Nwanna Onyeabor.

Governor Nwifuru made the remark on Sunday during a church service at the Government House Chapel, Centenary City, Abakaliki.

The order was issued by the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on July 8, 2025, following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In the suit, Professor Umezurike and Mr Onyeabor were listed as first and second respondents, respectively. The EFCC alleged that the duo diverted funds earmarked for the purchase of rice during the 2024 Christmas celebration into six accounts domiciled at United Bank for Africa (UBA). Four of the accounts were said to be owned by the SSG, one belonged to Onyeabor, and the sixth was opened in the name of Affordable Multi Services Nigeria Limited.

The commission claimed ₦1.014 billion was traced to the account of the SSG’s aide alone.

Justice Maurine Onyetenu granted all the reliefs sought by the EFCC, including an interim forfeiture of the funds for 60 days and orders for the respondents to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Reacting, Governor Nwifuru stressed the importance of due process and fair hearing.

“I received the news of the publication already before the Federal High Court, Uyo. 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,” he said.

The Governor also used the occasion to caution members of his cabinet, suggesting that underperformance would no longer be tolerated.

“Our vision, as contained in the People’s Charter of Needs, has not been satisfactorily realised. That accounted for the minor reshuffle we did recently. We’re still assessing them (officials), and we shall do the needful if the need arises,” he added.