Fear grips senator Orji’s supporters over EFCC arrest report

There were palpable fears among supporters of former Governor of Abia State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator representing Abia Central District, Senator Theodore Orji as news of his detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filtered into the state Wednesday night.

The PUNCH newspaper had reported that Senator Theodore Orji at the time of their report was being interrogated by the officials of the EFCC.

According the newspaper, Orji, who was governor from 2007 to 2015, arrived at the EFCC office in Abuja, along with his lawyer, in a cream long-sleeve Niger Delta outfit popularly referred to as ‘senator.’

PUNCH reported that Orji, who represents Abia-Central senatorial district at the National Assembly, was invited over allegations that he mismanaged about N27bn.

The invitation of Orji by the EFCC, PUNCH reported was sequel to a series of petitions written against the former governor shortly after he left office in 2015.

The EFCC was said to have commenced investigation soon after, but was waiting for enough evidence before inviting him.

Among the allegations levelled against the former governor was that he diverted billions of naira disbursed to Abia State by the Central Bank of Nigeria for Small and Medium Enterprise.

The lawmaker was also alleged to have diverted money from the Ecological Fund account, which should have been used in tackling erosion and other disasters peculiar to the state.

The ex-governor allegedly diverted money from the Abia State Oil Producing Development Area Commission, an agency of government set up for the development of the oil producing areas in Abia State

Orji allegedly used the funds to buy properties in Abia, Port Harcourt and Abuja, some of which the EFCC is planning to seize.

It was learnt that officials from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, commercial banks and other agencies had been invited by the EFCC to make statements on the governor’s case.

As of the time of filing this report, he was still said to be at the Commission making statements.

When contacted on the telephone, the acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, did not respond to calls.

In a text message, however, he said, “Yes. It is true that we have the former Abia governor with us.

“But I cannot say more than that. When it is time to press charges, we shall do that and the story will be in the media.”

However, some supporters of the former Governor that spoke to our reporter after attempts to reach Senator Orji failed, denied the report and wondered why his successor, Okezie Ikpeazu has not questioned Orji’s financial management within the eight years Orji ruled the state.

The Punch