A Nigerian civil society organization has filed a mandamus application in Federal High Court seeking to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute three former governors of Abia State over allegations of massive corruption totaling over one trillion Naira.
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Support the Youth Organization filed the suit on January 14, 2026, naming the EFCC as respondent and targeting former governors Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Theodore Ahamefula Orji, and Okezie Ikpeazu for their alleged roles in looting state funds during their respective tenures.
According to court documents, the EFCC launched investigations following petitions by the Fight Corruption: Save Nigeria Group, which alleged the former governors diverted various sums including:
- ₦383 billion in federal account revenue
- ₦55 billion in excess crude revenue
- ₦2.3 billion in Sure-P funds
- ₦1.8 billion in ecological funds
- ₦10 billion allegedly meant for Abia State Airport construction
The petition further alleged that the governors used these funds to acquire extensive properties in the United States, including homes, agricultural land, and commercial spaces across South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, and Texas.
Investigations cited in the filing revealed that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu allegedly owns properties in the United States valued at approximately $20 million. The documents claim Kalu spent $3.3 million on American properties during his tenure as governor and acquired an additional $4.4 million in properties during the 18 months following his departure from office while under indictment.
Court papers indicate that at least $24 million was allegedly stolen from Abia State development funds through a family-owned company.
Despite completing investigations and discovering substantial evidence, the EFCC has allegedly refused to prosecute the former governors, according to the legal filing.
“The Respondent has refused and neglected to carry out the obligation mandated on the Respondent in the statute,” the application states, referencing Section 6 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act.
The applicant organization argues it has standing to bring the case as a registered human rights activist group and anti-corruption crusader. The suit cites Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates the abolition of corrupt practices.
Legal experts quoted in supporting documents suggest the former governors could face charges including:
- Money laundering
- Obtaining money under false pretense
- Fraud
- Conversion of public funds
- Breach of public trust
- Misappropriation
The application emphasizes the severe impact on Abia State citizens, noting that teachers and pensioners are owed years of unpaid salaries and pensions, and that infrastructure development has been severely hampered.
“These monies allegedly stolen… were meant for the development of Abia State,” the filing states, adding that “there is hardly any good roads in Abia State.”
Mandamus Proceedings against former Govs of AbiaThe case is scheduled to be heard at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The EFCC has not yet publicly responded to the legal action.
Senator Kalu was previously convicted on 39 counts of fraud totaling ₦7.65 billion in December 2019 and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, though the conviction was later overturned by a higher court. It remains unclear what the current status of those charges are.
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