Theodore Orji
EFCC arrests ex-Abia Gov Orji, son over N48bn security votes, other charges
Anti-graft agency of the Federal Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested immediate past governor of Abia State, Sen. Theodore Orji and his son, Chinedum over alleged mismanagement of N48 billion security votes.
A statement confirming the development, Thursday, signed by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the governor and his son are also expected to account for the N2 billion Ecological Fund and conversion of Sure-P funds.
Senator Theodore Orji is currently in the 9th National Assembly as senator representing Abia Central Senatorial Zone, while his son, Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, as Speaker of the State House of Assembly represents Umuahia Central State Constituency in Abia.
According to the EFCC spokesman, while the ex-Governor was intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja before boarding a flight, his son reported to the EFCC headquarters on his own.
“He (T.A Orji) is being quizzed alongside his son, Chinedu, the current Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, who turned himself in this afternoon upon learning of the arrest of his father.
“Senator Orji and his sons, Chinedu and Ogbonna, are under investigation by the EFCC for offences bordering on misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.
“The ex-Governor is alleged to have collected N500million monthly as security vote for eight years as governor of Abia state between 2007 and 2015.
“Other issues relate to the alleged mismanagement of N2billion Ecological Fund and conversion of Sure-P funds.”
Sen. Orji was intercepted at the Abuja airport at about 1000 hours on Thursday and brought to the headquarters of the EFCC at Jabi, Abuja for the continuation of his interrogation.
