Group commends EFCC for docking Ex-Gov Orji, Son, over fraud, cautions against moves to compromise trial
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has been commended by a socio-political group, ‘The Abia Torchlight’ for prosecuting former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and his son Chinedum over a multi-billion naira fraud they allegedly perpetrated against Abia state.
The group said the action of EFCC chairman is unlike the actions of his predecessors who sat on the fraud cases all through their tenures.
However, it alerted the EFCC boss to take notice that some elements have been recruited through corrupt individuals to compromise EFCC officials and EFCC lawyers in a bid to frustrate the fraud cases involving the Orjis and some of their associates.
In a statement by the group, signed by the Coordinator, Oguwuike Umunnakwe, he said: “We commend the current EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, for his rare courage in taking to the court, some parts of the multiple fraud offences allegedly committed by former Governor Orji and his son, Chinedum, and three others.
“By this singular act, this EFCC boss has renewed the people’s hope that the super rich are not really above the law.
“We however use this opportunity to inform the EFCC boss that some sinister moves are being made through some powerful individuals to frustrate the ongoing and future litigations against the Orjis on the alleged frauds.
“Part of the strategy, we learnt, is to compromise EFCC investigating officials and lawyers to commit deliberate blunders or omissions that will weaken or destroy the cases on technical grounds.
“EFCC chairmen before this current one sat on the multi-billion naira fraud allegedly perpetrated against Abia State by ex-governor Theodore Orji and his sons.
“While commending the EFCC boss for his courage, we call on him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration not to accept plea bargain option, which we learnt the Orjis are also putting on the table. The matters should be tried on merit. We, like aggrieved Abia citizens, are of the view that in no other state of Nigeria was so much fraud perpetrated against the people as was done to Abia State during Theodore Orji’s two terms and during the two terms of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. So, we think that mere plea bargain will not approximate to justice here. Abia’s stolen wealth should be retrieved in full.
“It is for this reason that we call on EFCC and its Chairman never to compromise but to use the fraud cases involving Theodore Orji, his son and associates as a litmus test to prove that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government is still fighting corruption.
“We say so because we suspect that Theodore Orji’s son, Chinedum Orji’s recent entry into All Progressives Congress (APC) is part of the scheme to compromise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the humongous fraud against Abia State.
“We call on President Tinubu not to be deceived but to allow justice to take its course as that is what will pay his government better than defection of finished politicians with so much baggages at the grassroots.
“Instead of helping Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, association with these type of politicians in the South-east will be unnecessary extra baggage for Tinubu.
“We have also noted that efforts are currently being made to stop credible witnesses from testifying against the Theodore Orji family and their associates if and whenever the trial re-commences.
“We therefore call on Governor Alex Otti-led Abia State Government to ensure the safety of government officials who have been designated as key witnesses in the fraud cases,” the group said.
Recall that EFCC, early this year arraigned, ex-Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, his son, Chinedum Orji and a former Commissioner of Finance for Abia State, Dr. Philip Nto, a government contractor, Obioma King, and a former Director of Finance for the state, Romas Madu, before the Abia State High Court over alleged ₦47billion fraud
In the case, the defendants, including, former Governor Orji, his son, Chinedum, Nto, King and Madu are facing 16-count charge of conspiracy, theft, and fraudulent diversion of public funds.
In its statement of claim, the EFCC alleged that the defendants diverted ₦22.5 billion in security votes, ₦13 billion from a Diamond Bank loan, and ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund.
