How ex-gov Orji, wife, son squandered N474bn in Abia
Being a petition by the Save Abia Initiative for Change, a voluntary association of concerned citizens, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Governor Theodore Ahamefula Orji, his wife and son.
OPENING LETTER
THE SAVE ABIA INITIATIVE FOR CHANGE has put up this petition against the former Gov¬ernor of Abia State – Dr. T.A Orji – during the period of second tenure (2011-2015) and how he squandered the funds released to him. We also petition the Eco¬nomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover all such government funds re¬leased to the said ex-governor – Dr. T.A. Orji – within the period, which were either misappropriat¬ed, embezzled or looted. We also demand that any property pur¬chased with such funds should be recovered and sold to the public so that such funds are paid back into government coffers.
It will be our desire and we in¬sist that every person, no matter how highly placed found culpable in misappropriating, embezzling and looting of government prop¬erty or funds, be properly pun¬ished by the law.
Sir, we know the level of risk involved in exposing such people, who fraudulently or criminally misappropriated and embezzled government funds and humbly request you to extend your pro¬tective hands of the law on all members of SAIC, their families and supporters, who might be hunted or intimidated for expos¬ing the truth for Abia to be safe from further financial reckless¬ness.
Finally, as you commence this investigation, we promise to make ourselves available on demand and at all times through¬out the investigation to help you achieve the desired result in any way deemed necessary by you.
Please Sir, remember you are the last hope of Abians to help the zero corruption tolerance of the President Buhari-led Federal Government to the change agen¬da in Abia State.
Abstract
In this petition, SAVE ABIA INITIATIVE FOR CHANGE found out that the total federal monthly revenue allocation to Abia State Government under Governor T. A. Orji, from Janu¬ary 2011 to March 2015, is N383 billion. The total Excess Crude Oil fund is about N55 billion. The total loans and refunds to govern¬ment within the period is N33.6 billion. Sure-P funds released to them from 2012-2014 is N2.3 billion. The government has an external debt of $35.9 million or about N8 billion as at 2013.
It was also discovered that there is N1.8 billion ecological project funds approved in nine different sites in Abia State, with about N860 million released so far.
The SAVE ABIA INITIA¬TIVE discovered that with all these monies, the Abia State gov¬ernment could not show anything substantial, which they did with the money. It was discovered that the ex-governor, Dr. T.A. Orji, his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Odochi Orji, the son, Engr. Chinedu Orji, used the proceeds of their own loot to pur¬chase and acquire estate and land¬ed properties across the country. Some of his commissioners’ aides and Transition Chairmen, who are involved in this ugly transac¬tion of misappropriating and em¬bezzling funds are also identified. Six out of the ecological projects (erosion control) are non-existent and the money about N830 mil¬lion are in their pockets.
At least, 60 per cent of the ex¬cess crude oil fund was fraudu¬lently ascribed to payout for the protection of oil pipelines in Abia State, using ASOPADEC as a siphoning conduit. It was dis¬covered that little or nothing was done with the N2.3 billion Sure-P fund, instead the operators of the Sure-P project misappropriated the fund. The N12 billion being refund from Paris Club was di¬verted by Governor T.A. Orji.
The SAVE ABIA INITIA¬TIVE FOR CHANGE in this petition lists out all the names of those involved in this fraudu¬lent and criminal misappropria¬tion and embezzlement of public funds.
Abia State Government cor¬rupt and fraudulent financial transactions leading to embez¬zlement of funds with impunity
Introduction.
The Abia State PDP-led gov¬ernment under the then Governor Chief T.A. Orji (Ochendo) from 2011 to 2014 was known to be run by very corrupt and insensi¬tive officers. That government exhibited open financial reck-lessness with impunity, (see Abia State audit report 2011/2012). Everybody in Abia State, includ¬ing those in the Diaspora, wanted the government and all its spon¬sored candidate to be voted out. Unfortunately, this was not pos-sible, primarily because almost every Abian, starting from its ap¬pointees, stakeholders, PDP party officers, most security agents and even the “Almighty” Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had compromised their official positions and personal integrity
The Ochendos, that is, the unholy trinity of father, son and wife, always make people know that no human being can resist the bribe they can give to achieve their aim in any circumstance they find themselves. Anyone, who follow the general elections of 2015 before, during and after will know that they are claiming exactly what they are.
What should be of public in¬terest here is how they get such whopping sums of money to bribe their way out of every cir¬cumstance, no matter how im-possible it might look. This is the crux of the matter. From 2011 till 2014, the major business of government was to accumulate money from public funds for the selfish interest of the unholy trin¬ity that is Governor T.A. Orji, his wife (Dr.) Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji and his son Engr. Chinedu Orji. He created different avenue to siphon public funds into their private account. With impunity, they diverted a lot of money com¬ing to government into private account, such money include pro¬ceeds from over invoice and in-flated contract, ecological, Sure-P and CBN SME funds. Govern¬ment obtained loans from banks, funds from Paris Club and did a little or nothing with the money but instead they shared the money with the heads of such institutions whose names were used to ob¬tained the money.
These institutions include:
1. Ministry of Local Govern¬ment and Chieftaincy Affairs
2. Local Government Service Commission and
3. Local Government Area Councils
4. Ministry of Finance to men¬tion but a few.
They also created conduits in the names of government para¬statals or boards through which they siphon money to their pri¬vate account. A few of such insti¬tutions include; Abia State Road Maintenance Agency (ABRMA), from VAT account, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Abia State Oil Producing Development Agency (ASOPDA) and Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA).
Generally, it was a norm for that government to spend a maxi¬mum of 30 per cent of the actual value of any project while the other 70 per cent will be used to settle their “dependent relatives” (not salaries), while the big chunk of the money remained with the unholy trinity. With this develop¬ment, the governor, with his cro¬nies ran the government with im¬punity since money was available to stop anybody who cares from raising any eyebrow to whatever they did.
Now that elections have come and gone and Abia State PDP-led government has succeeded itself by using money made for Abia State obtained by fraudulent means, it is only logical that well-meaning Abians should demand to know why the state is almost bankrupt. Today, all sectors of the economy of the state has col¬lapsed; salaries, pensions and gratuities of public officers can no longer be sustained. Our pub¬lic utilities cannot be maintained, our roads are already in shamble both in the city and rural areas, our market are destroyed and re¬located and empty property con-verted to themselves.
For these reasons SAVE ABIA INITIATIVE FOR CHANGE was founded. This is a group of Abians from all works of life who have come together to ensure that embezzled and misappropri¬ated funds and properties of Abia State are recovered. In doing this we are aware of the level of risk involve in our self-imposed proj¬ect. We are, however, encouraged that the new Buhari-led APC Federal Government is preaching zero tolerance for corruption and we do hope they will come to our aid when we are being hunted for exposing the truth without fear or favour. We are very confident that the EFCC will not betray us and Abians nor compromise with the un-holy trinity and sell Abians, like INEC did during the National Elections in Abia State.
To achieve these objectives, we hereby lay our lives on the part of honour and in¬tegrity for the people of Abia State to en¬sure that we recover for Abia State all mis¬appropriated and all embezzled funds and properties of Abia State. To achieve this, is a task that must be done by the grace and guidance of God
LOANS FROM BANKS/REFUNDS
N10.5 BILLION LOAN FROM FIRST BANK 2012
The State Government, with the Minis¬try of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in-collaboration with Local Gov¬ernment Council, sought for and obtained, in 2012, the sum of N10.5 billion and used JAAC Funds as collateral for the loans. The loan is supposed to be for Develop-mental Projects for the Local Government Areas
Details of the Loan:
Each of the 17 Local Government of the state subscribed for N500 million from the loan totaling N8.5 billion. The Transition Chairmen, who got the loans had only N60 million released to them as follows:
• N40million for the development of Local Government Secretariat: N20 mil¬lion was given to every Local Govern¬ment Council to fence two schools at N10 million each. There was no trace of how the balance of N440 million left for each council was used. That is to say, the total sum of N7, 480, 000. 00 billion was em¬bezzled from that loan. From the N40 mil¬lion above, each Transition Chairman gave back N7 million to the source being the value of their official monetised vehicle for him and his deputy.
Note: Remember, this N7 million was supposed to be paid from their salaries. The list of the names and phone numbers of the Transition Chairmen involved in this un¬holy business is hereby attached. It is very important to know that from the N440 mil¬lion, which should have been used for the development of Local Government Area, each of the T.C chairman was given N20 million for signing off the balance (N440 million) of the loan.
The balance of N2 billion out of the N10.5 billion loan was appropriated into the hands of Commissioner for Local Gov¬ernment and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Emma Nwabuko.
Loan of four billion Naira from Dia¬mond Bank: In 2012, the government of Abia State, through Ministry of Works and Housing, obtained a loan of N4 billion for the completion of the new commissioners’ quarters. It will be recalled that the former Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, started that project and nearly completed it, the new work done by Governor T.A. Orji does not exceed N300 million, which is about the actual amount he claimed for the comple¬tion of that project in 2012 budget (see audit report). He embezzled N3.7 billion with his commissioners of Works and Housing, Hon. Chief Kingsley Mgbeahuru and Chief Longman Nwachukwu from public funds through this project.
From the forgoing, it is evident that the following, conspired among themselves to defraud the government of Abia to State the turn of N13,180, 000. 00billion only. They are:
1. Dr. T. A Orji (Governor)
2. The Commissioner for Local Gov¬ernment and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Emma Nwabuko;
3. The 17 Transition Council Chairmen on seat 2012;
4. The Commissioners of Works – Chief Mgbeahuru and Chief Longman Nwachukwu;
Funds From Paris Club: In 2010 and 2011 Abia State government received N12 billion in more than one trench as refund from Paris Club. The utilisation of this fund was fraudulent and need to be investigated. So far, it is of common knowledge that these funds were invested by the Governor, Chief T.A Orji and his son Engr. Chinedu Orji in landed properties, including Ochen¬do Housing Estate by Azikwe and shop¬ping Mall, No. 1 Aba Road Umuahia and others.
Loans To Local Government Coun¬cils: The ex-governor, Dr. T.A. Orji had obtained a loan of N800 million purported to be for local government staff salaries. By November 2013, he directed the local government councils to hold their F and G Council meetings to approve the loans. This loan was to be shared by the 17 lo¬cal government councils. This was not the case. Instead the governor misappropriated and embezzled the money.
N2billion Agricultural Loans To Farmers: The Federal Ministry of Agri-culture released N2 billion to Abia State Farmers through State Ministry of Agri¬culture. This loan was misappropriated and farmers did not get the loan. The late, Dr. Ken Nwosu, former Commissioner of Ag¬riculture wanted this loan to be given to the farmers but he died (May His Soul Rest in Peace).
Note: This loan is different from the one disbursed by Dr. Chukwu Nwachukwu in 2013.
College of Education Technical, Aro¬chukwu: The Abia State Government puts the monthly subvention of College of Education Technical, Arochukwu at N160 million. Pitiable enough, and in agreement with the then provost – Dr. Chris Nwamuo – they released only N21 million monthly to the college. The difference is shared between the governor and the provost. It is from this money that the provost built Giwa Hotel near the school. This is one of the reasons they could not pay the teachers.
The chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue Abia State, who operates with his cronies’ fraudulently, runs the follow¬ing BIR Accounts. He is supposed to know how much Abia State generates as Internal Revenue but deliberately denies Abians this information because he connives with his surrogates to fraudulently run these ac¬counts:
1. i. Unity Bank Account No. 0021645626
2. Fidelity Bank Account No. 00530370000155
iii. Zenith Bank Account No. 1010803601
1. Zenith Bank Account No. 1013194292
2. Fidelity Bank Account No. 5030013304
Before the end of this investigation, we will help the EFCC to locate the position of the five Star Hotel he is building with public fund at Abuja.
Official Vehicles to Transition Chair¬men and their Deputies: In Abia State and in all the tenure of Governor T.A Orji May 29, 2011 to May 29, 2015 he used only Transition Council Chairmen to run the Local Government Areas. Each Transi¬tion Chairman has a tenure of six months, in the first instance and may be renewed for another six months at a time for such num¬ber of periods that pleases the governor. All of them with their deputies are usually pro¬vided with official cars under monetised policy for public servants. Even though due process was not followed in purchas¬ing and giving these vehicles to them, they also did not pay for these vehicles from their salaries. The EFCC is hereby being humbly requested to recover these vehicles or their monetized values.
Abia State Oil Producing Area Devel¬opment Commission (ASOPADC): In this commission 13 per cent oil derivative from Federal Allocation is given to them as subvention. They are supposed to use it for development of the oil producing areas. So far about N820 million has been released to them. Unfortunately, all the develop¬mental projects in the oil producing areas are less than 40 per cent of the money, so far released. The former commissioner of the commission – Chief Sam Nwaogu – who, after sharing the funds with the gov¬ernment, is now in the NDDC Board. The truth is that he used the money lavishly to build an estate he calls his residential home. He should be investigated, as he has nothing doing before the appointment.
FUNDS SIPHONED THROUGH BANKS WITHOUT PURPOSE.
• Abia State ASOPADC Diamond Bank: Amount N244,500,000.00
In May 2013, the Abia State Govern¬ment, without any defined purpose for which the money will be used, lodged in and cashed the sum of N244,500,000.00 with four different cheques in their Dia¬mond Bank Account
CHEQUES NO AMOUNT
31845238 N20,000.000.00
31845236 N59,500,000.00
31845241 N150,000,000.00
31845239 N15,000,000.00
TOTAL N244,500,000.00
• UBA VAT ACCOUNT NUMBER FOR N1,651,363,000.00
In the same May 2013, without any de¬fined purpose for which the money will be used, the state government withdrew the sum of N1, 651, 363, 000.00.
ILLEGAL EXPENDITURE (N12, 377, 961,014) NOT BACKED BY LAW TO BE REFUNDED BY THE HEAD OF THE FOLLOWING MINISTRIES AND INSTITUTION 2011/2012 FI¬NANCIAL YEARS.
The following project and expenses are the excess money spent deliberately on project they are made for. They were extracted from the budget of the year 2011/2012 audit report of Abia State gov¬ernment. The auditor indicts the govern¬ment and described their spending pattern as reckless. Unfortunately, the Abia State House of Assemble Committee on Finance and Appropriation, which should have que¬ried the government did not do so. Instead the governor, Chief T.A. Orji, the Accoun¬tant General, Chief Onyendilefu and the heads of the affected department connived among themselves and fraudulently retired these sums of money into their private purse.
Full details can be found on pages 50 to 61 of the budget of the year 2011/2012 Abia State Audit report.
Commissioner for Ministry Of Works And Housing
1. Construction of Afaraukwu Road = N 15,000,000
2. Construction of Youth Centre = N 9,000,000
3. Special project/Activities = N 16,300,000
4. Construction of 4 additional duplex (Commissioner Quarters) = N 23,500,000
5. Completion of Deputy Governor’s lodge = N 4,600,000
6. Abia State low-cost Security and Emergency Call Centre = N273,430,000
TOTAL = N68,400,000
The Commissioner for Ministry Of Health
1. Rehabilitation of Equipment (4 general Hospital) = N10,000,000
2. Construction of Kitchen and Store (School of midwifery) Amachara = N246,580,000
TOTAL = N256.580,000
The Head Of Department
1. Government Press = N40,421,600
2. Purchase of Video production and Post production = N19,000,000
TOTAL = N59,421,600
Commissioner for Ministry of Agri¬culture
1. FADAMA III/ IDA Project = N 127,579,628
Government House
1. Acquisition of Capital Assets = N 19,000,000
2. Over expenditure (Not backed by law = N 3,803,963, 837
3. Over expenditure on debt charges = N 7,896,305,577
TOTAL = N11,719,269,414
GRAND TOTAL = N12,377,961,014
FRAUDULENT AND CORRUPT PRACTICES IN THE ABIA STATE PENSIONS BOARD
The Abia State Pensioners Should Be Pitied: They go on bended knees from month to month seeking to be paid their legitimate pensions and gratuity. While their gratuities, even after 10 years, is not the crux of the matter here. Instead, the main problem, which this petition wants to address, is the fraudulent and criminal exploitation of pensioners in Abia State, which is going unabated. It is the view of the petitioners that the syndicate treats the pensioners with impunity and made them look like beggars.
To be continued tomorrow
For the record: How ex-gov Orji, wife, son squandered N474bn in Abia (2)
Continued from yesterday
Being continuation of a petition by the Save Abia Initiative for Change, a voluntary association of concerned citizen, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former governor Theodore Ahamefula Orji, wife and son.
The Save Abia Initiative for Change, a voluntary association of concerned citizens, petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the plundering of Abia State. resources under the administration of former governor T A Orji. We p ublished the first part of the petition yesterday.
Deliberate Omission of Pensioner Names on Pay Vouchers: In Abia State Pensions Board, there is a deliberate policy that once a pensioner misses his/her pension in any month for whatever reason, that pensioner has missed that pension forever. For this reason, the authorities of the Pensions Board releases not more than 75 per cent of the pensioners money in every month, so that 25 per cent of them will miss their pension that month. What this means, is that every pensioner must forfeit his/her three months pension every year, which runs into several million of Naira monthly. Every attempt made to confirm the total wage bill of pensioners put at over N400 million for Abia State proved abortive. The truth, however, is that the N400 million is, to say the list, underestimation.
The question Abians usually ask is who takes the extra money forcefully saved from the pensioner? This money amounts to at least N100 million a month and N1.2 billion a year.
In the same fraudulent and criminal manner, this Pensions Boards is known to be claiming pensions of dead pensioners in Abia State. The then Commissioner of Finance (Dr. Sampson Ogah) confirmed this on radio in 2014.
The Chairman Abia State Pensions Board and all 20 Sub-treasurers in the 20 paying point of Abia State, whose names are hereby attached ensure that these reductions are properly made and shared among themselves and their other subordinates.
The Petitioners want these people to be properly investigated to find out how much of these pensioners are involved in this show of shame, the amount involved for each of affected pensioner so as to ensure justice is done.
Excess crude oil ASOPADC, conduit for siphoning government funds.
ASOPADC is suppose to be a commission that is setup to ensure the development of oil-producing area. In Abia State, it is not so. 75per cent of the money allocated to this commission is on their way into private pockets. It is, therefore, very necessary to investigate this commission alongside the following known fraudulent ways of retiring the money given to them.
The sum of almost N56 billion has been released to this commission from the Excess Crude Oil Account from 2011 to 2014.
The detail is as follows:
a. 2011 – N18,013,293,677.0 4
b. 2012 – N 15,402,231,555.13
c. 2013 – N 16,370,491,011.21
d. 2014 – N 5,708,384,091. 17
N55,494,400,335.44
The fraudulent ways of using the money: ASOPADC runs a Diamond and other banks ASOPADC Account, and from these accounts money is siphoned into individuals, groups and companies account in any way it pleases them but without any purpose, which such cheques are been issued. They pay a lot of money through cash/cheques with fake vouchers raised on sub-heads for Pipeline Vendalisation Security Agency. All such funds are collected back by government and shared among themselves. The chairman of this commission, the Permanent Secretary, including Dr. Chibueze Ukaegbu (former Perm Sec.) and the governor are the recipients of this funds.
ASOPADC has its Head Office at Number 11/12 Opara Avenue Umuahia, which is government property. Proper investigation into this commission will show that they are claiming to be on rented premises and through the said Dr. Chibueze Ukaegbu, they pay monthly rent, which he receives and gives to his masters whom he knows very well.
In 2011, ASOPADC bought 14 brand new Corolla cars at an inflated rate. Midway into 2012, 12 of them disappeared and by 2014, they bought another 12. Investigation into this commission will show that the governor gave approval for the 12 vehicles to be auctioned but it is of common knowledge that those supposedly auctioned vehicles were the same returned in 2014 and the money claimed and paid to the fraudulent operators.
The youth empowerment programme: Through this Youth Empowerment Programme, Governor T.A Orji, the Son, Engr. Chinedu Orji, the wife, (Dr.) Mrs. Odochi Orji, his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Emma Nwabuko, the Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Chief Chijioke Nwakaodo and his Permanent Secretary, Planning Commission, Chief (Mrs.) Adamma Iheuwa used the money from Excess Crude Oil Account in the name of Youth Empowerment to rip Abia State of over N20 billion. Thorough investigation on fictitious vouchers issued to collect this money will expose these facts. This was actually part of the money they mopped-up to prosecute the 2015 general election.
Some Abia State Government bank accounts: Abia State Government operates many bank accounts in the state but there are two such accounts, which need thorough investigation because it is in these accounts some ugly deeds are perfected:
i. Abia State Zenith Bank Account Number – 1130058336.
ii. Abia State Fidelity Bank Account Number – 5030013304.
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): In Abia State, the most popular way of squandering state fund is through the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Every effort made to know how much this state generates has always proved abortive simply because no such records are kept. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in Abia State is an all-comers affairs such that if you are in the good books of government, you are appointed to collect revenue and pay commission to the forces-that-be. Several bank accounts are opened and the money paid into the accounts goes into powerful individual. The government does not benefit from such monies. Some of these accounts are as follows:-
i. All Revenue Generated in Ariaria Market is paid into UBA Account No. 101860143 in the company’s name – Iykool Integrated Services LTD. This account is suspected to be operated by Engr. Chinedu Orji, who does not pay it into any government account.
ii. Most of the ministries and parastatals in Abia State, who generate revenue, pay it into any of the following Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Account:
a. FMCB Account No. 0532313019
b. First Bank Account No.2011609573
In both accounts powerful individuals are used to withdraw money from them, which do not go into government coffers.
The Abia State government has an account with EcoBank Account No. 1362009000 for Keke drivers. Anybody who purchases Keke through government, registers with N1, 100 and pays N200 daily ticket into this account. This account generates over N6 million on daily basis, but unfortunately this money does not reflect in any government project. The governor and his son, Engr. Chinedu Orji, collect this money on daily basis from this account and they run this account as their private account.
Federal allocations, Sure-P, internal debt, ecological funds and CBN SME funds.
The Federal Revenue allocation to Abia State, 2011 – 2015: The Government of Abia State received a total sum of about N233 billion from the Federation Account from January 2011 to March 2015 and did little or nothing with it, and yet could not pay salaries of workers as at when due.
Similarly, the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State received a sum of about N154 billion for the period. It is a fact that there are no developmental projects in these Local Government Areas and the salaries are in arrears.
We therefore, crave the indulgence of EFCC to investigate all those involve in this unbelievable squandering of public funds.
They are: 1. Governor T.A Orji 2. Commissioners of Finance (2011– 2015) – Dr. Samson Ogah/ Dr. Philip Nto 3. State Accountant General – Chief Gabriel Onyedilefu
4. All 17 L.G.A Transition Council Chairmen from 2011 – 2015 (Names attached)
Salaries
It will be very important to examine the salary situation in Abia State. Assuming the total wage bill and overhead cost is N2.5 billion. Though this is an exaggerated annual, this gives the sum of N30 billion as yearly salary. Then for four and half years, that is, from January 2011 – June 2015, the salary wage bill will be N135 billion. Please remember, the Federal Allocations for April, May, and June 2015 are not included in this estimate. From the foregoing, it means that if all salaries are paid for the period of four and half years, Abia State, from Federal Allocation alone, would have had a balance of N388 billion – N135 billion = N253 billion.
Every Abains, both at home and in the Diaspora, including her neighbours and friends know that there is nowhere in Abia State where the sum of N253 billion can be seen to have been invested. Despite this aforementioned 10 months salary are still not yet paid in Abia State However, the truth of the matter is that Governor, Chief T.A Orji took Abians for granted and squandered the state funds in settling some well-known Abia leaders, receiving local, national and international titles and awards no matter how insignificant they may be to paint himself good and using the funds to purchase properties in every nook and crannies of Abia State, including all parts of the country and international community.
SURE-P FUND: The State has collected N2.3 billion as Sure-P funds at N53.2 million per month from January 2012 till May 2015. The purpose of this fund includes:
a. Community Services
b. Women and Youths Empowerment
c. Skill Acquisition.
Under the scheme, at least 3, 000 secondary school leavers, holders of National Diploma and the Nigerian Certificate in Education are employed in Abia State in the following fractions, 20 per cent disable, 30 per cent women and others 50 per cent and each participant is to be paid N6,000.00 since 2012. Most of these things they were unenable to do. The truth is that this Sure – P fund was given to:
1. Dr. (Mrs.) Uloma Uruakpa/Chief (Mrs.) Adamma Iheuwa. – Permanent Secretary, Abia State Planning Commission.
2. Chief Mrs. Odochi Orji – The wife of Governor T.A Orji for Women Affairs.
3. Engr. Chinedu Orji for the Youth.
Instead of providing Abians the services the money is meant for, they managed to spend less than 40 per cent of the money while misappropriating and or embezzling the rest.
EXTERNAL DEBT: The Abia State Government external debt profile as at 2013 under Governor T.A Orji is put at $35.9 million, which will give about N8 billion.
CBN SME FUNDS: The N220 billion CBN funds for Small Medium Enterprise (SME), from which Abia State government got N2 billion was fraudulently misappropriated by Dr. Philip Nto former Commissioner for Finance. He used part of the loot to purchase SUV cars for himself and wife and donated some to his political surrogate and bought several properties. The Commissioner should be investigated.
7.3 ECOLOGICAL FUND PROJECTS:
From 2007 to 2012, nine ecological sites were attended to. Six out of this nine erosion sites were not in existence totaling N819842,770.37.
This money was simply drained into their pocket. They are:
1. Bende Amando Erosion Control
– N161,585,000.06
2. Umuahia North – Isingwu & Igwenegbu Erosion Control – N243,588,491.06
3. Umuahia South – Apumiri Umuoteke Construction of Erosion Control
– N80,647,814.40
4. Anando Erosion Site (Bende)
– N15,202,609.23
5. Apumiri Umuoteke Erosion & Flood Control (Abia North L.G.A)
– N66,903,578.72
6. Pipe Aguwa & Akpu Road (Abia North L.G.A – N304,522,993.23
TOTAL – N819,842,770.37
This shows that the amount of N819,842,770.37 was embezzled.
As usual, we call on EFCC to properly investigate this claim to find out the exact situation of these erosion control sites.
What Governor T.A Orji did with Abia State Federal Allocation Funds:
1. Governor T.A Orji acquired Seasons Farm LTD measuring 100 hectares at Ndi Oji Abam at N15million.
2. In 2013 Governor T.A Orji acquired to himself with the named Shanid Nig. LTD, Abia Palm at Ohambele at the sum of N10 billion. This property was handed over to Shanid Nig LTD (himself) in April 2013 and yet he directed Ukwa East Local Government Area to provide security to the Farm.
3. The former commissioner of Works, Hon. K.O. Mgbahuru used part of his own share of the loot to purchase from Chief Nnamdi the Golden Estate, a twin bungalow, and Olaz Oil Filling Station by Arungwa Junction in Osisioma Local Government Area at the sum of N50 million
4. Governor T.A. Orji bought a high profile property in Ikoyi, Lagos with the sum of N1.8 billion.
5. The Chief of Staff to the then Governor, Chief Cosmas Ndukwe, used part of his own share to build Luxury City Hotel situated along Aba Owerri Road behind Alba Filling Station, Umungasi at N5 billion. He also owns Rainbow Printing Press valued at N2 billion situated inside Nwalozie compound along Aba Owerri road
6. The property at No. I Azikwe Road Umuahia, opposite AP Filling Station was bought with public funds at the sum of N100 million by Governor T.A Orji from Saclux. The original owner, Chidibere Transport LTD, sold it to Saclux at the sum of N25 million.
7. The son of the Governor, Engr. Chinedu Orji, acquired the former Empire Hotel opposite BCA along BCA Road using the name of Benac Hotel, from Owerri Nkwoji. This property was bought at N10 billion.
8. The Governor, Dr. T.A. Orji used the name of his second son, Ugonna Orji, to acquire and build the Abia Mall at old Gariki along Amuzukwu Umuahia at the sum of N3.5 billion.
9. The former Skill Acquisition Centre along Bende Road near St. Finbbars Church was government property but the governor’s son Engr. Chinedu Orji converted it to his personal property unabated.
The following government properties, which were being used for various purposes, had the properties on them demolished. It is very astonishing that houses are being built on open spaces without any agreements reached and documented in any State Executive Council meeting nor by the Abia State House of Assemble either as a bill or resolution.
Government in it desire to serve the people can legally acquire private properties. However, such acquisition can only be used for public good, it immorally, illegally with grief impunity to acquire from private citizen and relocate to himself and member of his family for private, personal commercialization.
To be continued on Monday
How ex-gov Orji, wife, son squandered N474bn in Abia (3)
Continued from Friday
Being the conclusion of a petition by the Save Abia Initiative for Change, a voluntary association of concerned citi¬zens, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former governor Theodore Ahamefula Orji, wife and son.
It is very painful even though these spaces are government property Abians watch the governor do what he is doing with these properties with impunity. Only time will tell. They include;
1. The relocated old Timber Mar¬ket was destroyed and now converted to housing estate.
2. The former Umuahia Township Market relocated to Ubani is now being converted to residential buildings on one side and the remaining portion is errone¬ously being called “Events Centre.”
3. The old Ministry of Lands and Housing is being converted to a housing estate.
4. The housing estate in Adelebu Street, Umuahia, containing several du-plexes is also on the list.
5. With impunity, he acquired, with government funds, and restructured and built where he now calls Ochendo Close along Azikiwe Road, Umuahia, contain¬ing over 20 modern storey buildings.
6. The son of the Governor – Engr. Chinedu Orji – with funds from Local Government Councils, which he super¬vised, built the shopping Plaza at No. 2 Aba Road, Umuahia, opposite General Post Office.
7. The Abia State Accountant General, Chief Gabriel Onyedilefu, used part of the money to acquire Garobi Hotel located at Upstair line, Umuahia.
Governor T.A. Orji used over N3.6 bil¬lion to acquire buildings each not less than N500 million all over the country, where he established his photo laboratory each of which is not less than N100 million. Most of these properties are in the name of his children, Chief Nwabuko and Chief Silas Offor. They are:
7. No. 4, Item Street, Umuahia
8. Bonny by Umuwaya Road, Umua¬hia
9. Azikiwe Road by UBE Street, Aba
10. No. 7, Royce Road Owerri – Imo State
11. No. 193, Aba Road – Port Harcourt beside Promise Fast Food
12. Photo Fast – Calabar Road beside Fidelity Bank – Calabar.
CONCLUSION
Everybody in Abia State and visitors will definitely observe that not much has changed since 2007. Again, if one asks the value of all the so-called legacy proj¬ects, including all the repainted roads, one would be surprised that it is not more than N100 billion. It is, therefore, very impera¬tive that something is wrong in the use of funds by the Government of Abia State under Chief T.A Orji.
We have seen how about N474 billion entered into the purse of Abia State since 2011 and how it was spent in the most embarrassing and reckless manner. If the sum of about N135 billion, which should be the projected salary and overhead cost for Abia workers from January 2011 to June 2015 and the sum of N100 billion or his legacy projects that is (N235 billion) is subtracted from the total money, accruing to the government within the period – that is N474 billion – we will have a balance of N241 billion in excess.
The implication of this is that, the gov¬ernment squandered the sum of N24I billion to themselves with impunity. The Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is assumed to be zero for the same period since no record stating the amount on IGR is available. These facts actually call for concern – hence THE SAVE ABIA INI¬TIATIVE has offered herself to ensure that all funds and properties belonging to Abia State and her people, which has been identified to have been misappropriated, embezzled or loot are recovered.
THE SAVE ABIA INITIATIVE FOR CHANGE hereby call on all Abia citizens both at home and in the Diaspora to rise up to their responsibilities and join the struggle to save Abia State.
How Senator Theodore Orji, wife and son looted N47 Billion Abia Treasury
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on
Monday, July 27, 2015
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Reviewed by Unknown
on
Monday, July 27, 2015
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