EFCC arrests ex-Abia gov Theodore Orji, son

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a former Abia State Governor, Senator Theodore Orji and his son, Chinedu, over alleged mismanagement of N48 billion security votes.

They are also expected to account for N2 billion ecological fund and conversion of SURE-P funds.

While the ex-governor was intercepted at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja before boarding a flight, his son was said to have reported at the EFCC headquarters.

Senator Orji, after his arrest at the Abuja airport on Thursday, was taken to the headquarters of the EFCC at Jabi, Abuja for interrogation.

The Nation quoted a source as saying, “He 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 N500 million 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.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest of the former governor.