The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Abia State, Christopher Enweremadu, wanted for alleged fraud.
The ex-commissioner was declared wanted alongside one Fortune Ozoemela for criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, stealing, and money laundering.
The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a public notice posted on the commission’s website on Wednesday.
Enweremadu served as commissioner during the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in the South-East state.
Oyewale listed Enweremadu’s last known address as the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Umuahia, Abia State.
He added that Ozoemela, 40, is an indigene of Abia State and the last known address is 122 Ozoemela’s compound, Amakama Olokor,o Umuahia, Abia State.
The ex-commissioner is linked to an investigation into the management of funds allocated to 17 local councils in Abia State.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in December 2024 ordered a probe into allocations to the local councils between 2019 and 2023 and directed the EFCC to submit its findings.
The court also ordered the seizure of international passports belonging to Enweremadu, Erondu Uchenna Erondu (a former aide to Governor Ikpeazu), and Deaconess Joy Nwanju, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The court’s decision followed an ex parte application filed by an activist who alleged that billions of naira meant for Abia’s local councils was diverted under the supervision of the officials.
