EFCC grills Theodore Orji, son over ‘diversion of Abia funds’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has interrogated Theodore Orji, senator representing Abia central, for allegedly diverting funds of the state while he was governor.

Orji was governor of Abia between 2007 and 2015; he joined the senate in 2015.

Orji is being questioned alongside Chinedum, his son, by operatives of the anti-graft agency in Abuja.

While the senator was picked up by the EFCC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, his son is said to have turned himself in on Thursday.

In 2018, the anti-graft agency accused Orji of mismanaging about N27 billion during his tenure as governor of Abia.

According to a petition filed against him at the EFCC in 2017, monies were allegedly taken from excess crude revenue, ecological funds, as well as loans from First Bank of Nigeria, through the ministry of chieftaincy and local government affairs, and N4 billion from Diamond Bank.

“Investigation was extended to his family members to ascertain the link and culpability of the alleged fraud,” the petition by Fight Corruption: Save Nigeria Group reads.

“The ex-governor’s first son, Chinedum Orji Enyinnaya, who is currently the speaker of the Abia state house of assembly is now a frequent guest at the EFCC headquarters to throw light on his involvement in the fraud.

“A check on his financial activities revealed that he had about 100 accounts in different banks, with over 80 percent of the accounts still very active.

“The accounts which were both corporate and individual received so much deposit in cash without evidence of job or services rendered.”