Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reportedly interrogated the former governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, over an alleged fraud of N27 billion.
Orji, who was governor from 2017 to 2015, is currently representing Abia Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
The senator reportedly arrived at the EFCC office in Abuja on Tuesday, accompanied by his lawyer, in a cream long-sleeve outfit popularly referred to as ‘Senator.’
His invitation by the EFCC arose from a series of petitions against him shortly after he left office in 2015.
The EFCC was said to have commenced investigation soon after,
but was gathering more evidence before inviting him.
Among the allegations levelled against the former governor is that he diverted
billions of naira disbursed to Abia State by the Central Bank of Nigeria for
Small and Medium Enterprises.
The lawmaker was also alleged to have diverted monies from the Ecological Fund account, which should have been used in tackling erosion and other environmental challenges confronting the State.
He also 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 has earmarked for seizure.
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.
It could not be established what eventually happened after his interrogation at the EFCC office.