Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA, Nigeria — A youth‑led civil society organisation has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, urging the judiciary to intervene and compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to charge and prosecute three former governors of Abia State over the alleged mismanagement and diversion of public funds totalling approximately ₦1 trillion. The group is seeking a mandamus order, a judicial directive that would legally require the anti‑graft agency to take action against the former officials.
The application was filed by the Support the Youth Organisation, which said in court papers that the EFCC had previously initiated investigations into the use of state funds by the past administrations of the three ex‑governors — but appears to have suspended or declined to file criminal charges. Those named in the youth group’s suit are Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Theodore Ahamefulea Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu, all of whom previously governed Abia State in separate administrations.
The group’s lead affidavit, deposed to by activist Susan Nwaze, argues that the EFCC has a statutory duty under the EFCC Establishment Act to investigate and prosecute cases involving substantial mismanagement of public funds. The organisation contends that the alleged irregularities in Abia State involved large amounts of money that were meant for essential services such as road construction, payment of workers’ salaries and pensions for retirees — but were instead reportedly diverted or inadequately accounted for.
According to the affidavit, the ex‑governors collectively oversaw the management of key revenue streams for the state, including N551 billion in retained internally generated revenues, ₦383 billion from federal allocations, ₦55 billion in excess crude revenue, ₦2.3 billion in ecological funds, and other statutory funds whose utilisation remains unclear. The organisation also questioned the handling of a ₦10.5 billion loan obtained through First Bank Plc, loans from Diamond Bank totalling ₦4 billion, and other funds such as the Paris Club refund and targeted employment and development programmes.
The youth group argues that the continued absence of legal action by the EFCC against the former governors — despite public allegations and some investigations — reflects a lack of follow‑through that undermines anti‑corruption efforts and erodes public confidence in accountability institutions. They are therefore asking the court to grant judicial review leave for mandamus “to compel the EFCC to charge and prosecute” the trio of former governors for the alleged offences.
Supporters of the lawsuit say the case highlights broader frustrations among civic actors and citizens with perceptions that some high‑profile corruption inquiries in Nigeria stall or do not progress to prosecution. While the EFCC has intensified some actions against past state officials in recent years — including the arraignment of former Abia Governor Theodore Orji and others in connection with alleged misappropriation of tens of billions of naira — those cases have been separate from the broader allegations cited in the youth group’s petition.
No hearing date has yet been fixed for the motion, which could set an important precedent if the court agrees that a government agency can be legally compelled to prosecute alleged public financial abuses. Should the Federal High Court grant the order of mandamus, it would require the EFCC to formally initiate criminal proceedings against the former governors, potentially altering the trajectory of the anti‑graft drive in relation to high‑level corruption allegations in Nigeria.
Critics of the petition, however, may argue that the EFCC retains prosecutorial discretion and that political or evidentiary considerations can influence the timing and direction of corruption cases. Nonetheless, the Support the Youth Organisation’s legal move underscores rising pressure from civic sectors for enhanced transparency, accountability and justice in the management of public resources.
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