₦118.1bn FUND SCANDAL: ORLU YOUTHS DRAG 12 EX-COUNCIL CHAIRMEN BEFORE EFCC
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Grace Chidimma Ibe
ORLU, IMO STATE — The Orluzurumee Youth Assembly (OYA) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding a comprehensive investigation into the alleged mismanagement, diversion and embezzlement of about ₦118.1 billion reportedly allocated to the 12 local government areas in Orlu Senatorial Zone of Imo State between September 2024 and June 2026.
The petition, directed against the immediate past chairmen of the 12 councils, seeks an independent examination of the funds received by the local governments and the projects reportedly executed with the money during the period under review.
The Assembly submitted the petition through its legal representative, Emmanuel C. Osi, Esq., of Sandalwoods Solicitors. According to OYA, the Office of the EFCC Executive Chairman received and acknowledged the complaint on October 12, 2026.
The move followed earlier attempts by the youth organisation to obtain financial information from the former council chairmen through requests made under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
The requests sought details of statutory allocations received by the councils, expenditure records and explanations of how public funds were applied to development projects and other official responsibilities.
Speaking on the development, OYA National President, Prince Izunna Obiefule, said the petition was intended to ensure accountability for public resources entrusted to the former council administrations.
He explained that the Assembly decided to approach the anti-corruption agency to establish whether the funds were properly utilised and whether any financial irregularities occurred during the period being investigated.
Obiefule said the organisation was seeking a transparent and impartial inquiry that would establish the facts, identify any possible breaches of financial regulations and ensure that anyone found culpable faced the appropriate legal consequences.
He expressed concern over what he described as the persistent gap between the substantial public allocations reportedly received by the councils and the state of basic infrastructure in many communities across Orlu Senatorial Zone.
According to him, several communities continue to grapple with poor road networks, inadequate access to potable water and electricity, under-equipped healthcare centres, deteriorating school facilities and limited opportunities for youth development.
The OYA president argued that the situation had raised questions among residents about the extent to which government funds had translated into meaningful development at the grassroots level.
He maintained, however, that the concerns required verification through a thorough review of the councils' financial transactions, procurement processes and project records.
“The concern of the Orluzurumee Youth Assembly is that these funds may have been subjected to diversion, fictitious or improperly awarded contracts, or payments for projects that were never executed,” Obiefule stated.
The Assembly called on the EFCC to scrutinise the financial statements of the 12 local governments, examine contracts awarded during the period, verify payments made to contractors and establish whether projects funded with public money were completed in accordance with approved specifications.
It also urged investigators to examine relevant payment vouchers, procurement documents, project execution reports and other records that could help determine how the reported allocations were spent.
The organisation said a detailed investigation would help clarify whether the funds were used for their intended purposes or whether any public resources were diverted from essential services and development programmes.
Beyond the petition against the former council chairmen, Obiefule appealed to serving political leaders and other public officeholders across Orlu Senatorial Zone to uphold transparency in the management of government revenue.
He stressed that public funds belonged to the people and should be directed towards improving living conditions, expanding access to essential services and supporting economic opportunities for residents, particularly young people.
The Assembly further maintained that public officials must be prepared to account for resources placed under their control and comply with relevant financial management laws.
The petition represents OYA's latest effort to press for greater scrutiny of public spending across the 12 local government areas in Orlu Senatorial Zone.
The allegations, however, remain unproven, and an investigation would be required to establish whether any wrongdoing occurred. No findings of guilt against the former council chairmen were established in the information contained in the petition announcement.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability, responsible leadership and sustainable development, insisting that transparent management of public resources is essential to addressing the infrastructure and social welfare challenges confronting communities across the zone.
