N27bn: EFCC quizzes ex-Abia governor Orji

A former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, was yesterday quizzed by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of N27billion fraud.

Orji submitted himself at the head office of the EFCC in Jabi, Abuja, following an invitation from the commission. He was accompanied by his lawyer.

Top EFCC sources told Daily Trust that the anti-graft agency began discreet investigations into allegations contained in a petition against Orji since 2015.

It was gathered that Orji is being grilled to explain alleged diversion of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) fund.

He is also to explain alleged diversion of money at the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC) and the State Ecological fund.

He is expected to explain acquisition of property in highbrow areas in Port Harcourt Rivers State, Abuja and Abia State.

EFCC investigators, a source said, have already gathered information relating to the investigation from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), CBN and commercial banks, among others.

As at the time of filing this report, Orji was still responding to questions put to him by a team of EFCC investigators.

Asked to confirm the story, EFCC acting spokesman Tony Orilade said, “Yes, it 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 would be in the media.”