A significant authorized battle has been initiated in opposition to the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) as a civil society group, Assist the Youth Organisation, seeks to pressure the anti-graft company to prosecute three former governors of Abia State.
The group has approached the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja with a swimsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/75/2026, requesting an order of mandamus.
This judicial order would compel the EFCC to meet its statutory obligation by submitting felony fees in opposition to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Theodore Orji, and Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
Likewise, the previous state leaders are being accused {of financial} irregularities and the mismanagement of public assets throughout their respective tenures on the helm of Abia State.
In accordance with the court docket paperwork filed by the group’s authorized consultant, Barrister Okoro Nkemakolam, earlier investigations by the EFCC allegedly uncovered a large {financial} hole involving roughly N1 trillion belonging to the state.
The candidates argue that whereas the fee has carried out probes into these figures, it has surprisingly failed to maneuver ahead with a proper prosecution.
Furthermore, the youth group contends that these funds have been initially earmarked for important growth initiatives which have since stalled or been deserted.
They particularly pointed to the dire state of infrastructure in Abia, the buildup of wage arrears for academics, and the unpaid pensions of retirees as direct penalties of the alleged {financial} mismanagement.
In accordance with the group, the EFCC has enough proof from its prior probes to provoke felony proceedings however has remained hesitant to take the previous governors to court docket.
This judicial intervention goals to finish that delay and convey the accused to justice.