EFCC puts ex-Abia commissioner, associate on wanted list for alleged multi-billion naira fraud

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a wanted notice for the former Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Christopher Enweremadu, and Fortune Ozoemela, accusing them of involvement in a scheme involving criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, theft, and money laundering.

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the announcement was made public via a statement on the commission’s website on Wednesday.

“The public is hereby notified that Christopher Enweremadu and Fortune Ozoemela are wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, stealing, and money laundering,” Oyewale stated.

Enweremadu, who served under former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, was last known to be associated with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Umuahia, Abia State. Ozoemela, a 40-year-old Abia native, was linked to an address at 122 Ozoemila’s Compound, Amakama Olokoro, Umuahia.

Oyewale urged the public to provide information on their whereabouts, directing tips to EFCC zonal offices in cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano.

The investigation ties Enweremadu to the alleged mismanagement of funds allocated to Abia’s 17 local government councils. In December 2024, a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja mandated the EFCC to probe these allocations from 2019 to 2023, following an activist’s ex parte application claiming billions of naira were diverted.

The court, further, ordered the seizure of international passports belonging to Enweremadu, Erondu Uchenna Erondu, a former aide to Ikpeazu, and Joy Nwanju, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

“Anyone with information that could lead to the apprehension of these individuals should contact the EFCC immediately,” Oyewale emphasized, as the commission intensifies its efforts to address financial misconduct.