Senator Theodore Orji escapes EFCC, as EX-Governor Chime comes under probe

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, in the South East zone yesterday disclosed that the immediate past civilian governor of Enugu state, Mr Sullivan Chime, is among the past political office leaders in the South East zone that has issues to settle with the commission, in as much as the commission is yet to be fed with allegations of corrupt practices against his Abia state counterpart, Chief Theodore Orji,who is currently a serving senator of the Federal Republic.

The EFCC South East Zonal Head, Mr Johnson Babalola dropped this hints while briefing news men in Enugu, on the achievements of his commission so far. He said his zone is  doing every thing possible to expose sharp corrupt practices of both the political and non political class in the South zone, in accordance  with the commitment of the  current leadership of the commission, headed by Mr Ibrahim Magu, to recover all looted funds.

Defending allegations that the commission is playing to the gallery in cases concerning political office holders who looted public funds, Babalola disclosed that the commission is still investigating ex governor on the disbursement of  N400 million 2015 Presidential campaign funds. pointing out that two serving commissioners in the state, Chief Charles Egumgbe, in charge of  Water Resources and Hon Mrs Rita Mba, commissioner for culture and tourism, mentioned in the disbursement of the funds, were recently invited by the commission to explain what they knew about the fund.
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When asked why the immediate past  Abia state governor,Senator Theodore Orji is yet to be accosted by EFCC, Babalola simply said  that his commission is yet to receive any petition on  corrupt practices leveled against Senator Theodore Orji, and challenged anybody that has a case against him to petition the Commission for investigation.
"I don't have petitions against him, Senator Theodore Orji," Babalola said.
He assured the commission will not fail to investigate allegations of loot of funds leveled against  any ex public officer once there's a petition to that effect,from the concerned quarters. He disclosed that the cases involving the governors are under intense investigation,: "The zone is equally closing in on some politically exposed persons in cases involving former governors and companies linked to serving governors."

The EFCC Zonal Head,South East zone unveiled the recovered loots to include a total of  two hundred and forty four million, five hundred and seventy four thousand, five hundred and eighty seven, twenty kobo [N244,574,587.20] from those that looted government treasury and other sources.

A total of $955,465 USD  USD worth  forfeited assets by  looters which  has been paid into government coffers. The commission through it's operations in the South East zone also  recovered  €10,000 Euro as well as 3,588 Chinese RMB.


The EFCC Zonal Head, Babalola disclosed that the Commission has received in recent time, five hundred and twenty two cases out of which thirty six have been concluded and charged to various courts in the zone for prosecution while it has secured fourteen, (14) convictions.

On cases of public interest other than political matters, Babalola said that the Commission have two chief executive officers of privately owned companies that specialize in collecting monies from unsuspecting customers in the form of thrift or mortgage banking in their custody.

The executives include Chief Patrick Nwokike, CEO Let's Partner With You and Joshua Morah, CEO Borec Services.

Nwokike is being investigated for collecting over four billion Naira, N4,000,000,000 from unsuspecting members of the public in return for certain monthly percentage which is discovered to be shrouded in fraud.

Babalola also disclosed that the Commission received over 150 petitions against Chief Nwokiike and that he operated different account and that the N4 billion was discovered in only two of such accounts.

He further disclosed that on further investigation, Nwokike was discovered to have acquired two exotic SUV vehicles, a mufti-million naira warehouse as well as three choice mansions at different locations which have been sealed and placed under investigation.

On the part of Joshua Morah of Borec Services, he is alleged to have collected over N9 billion and being investigated following over thirty petitions written against him.

The EFCC boss pointed out that though the Commission had achieved this much, they are not resting on their oars until more successes are achieved for a better future.