12 ex-Imo LG chairmen face EFCC probe over alleged diversion of N118.1bn

The immediate past chairmen of the 12 local government areas in Orlu Zone of Imo State are facing accountability checks as a group under the aegis of Orluzurumee Youth Assembly, OYA, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate the alleged diversion and embezzlement of approximately N118.1 billion allocated to the councils between September 2024 and June 2026.

The petition was filed by the group's lawyer, Emmanuel Chiagoziem Osi.

The group said the petition was officially received and acknowledged by the Office of the EFCC Executive Chairman on 12 October 2026.

OYA said the petition became necessary following unsuccessful efforts to obtain financial records from the council chairmen through formal requests made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

The lawyer, Osi, stated that OYA had sought details of allocations received by the councils and how the funds were utilised during the period under review.

Speaking on the petition, the National President of OYA, Prince Izunna Obiefule, said the action was intended to ensure that the former council chairmen account for the public funds entrusted to their respective administrations.

Obiefule explained that OYA approached the EFCC to seek an independent investigation into the management of the funds in a bid to strengthen the principles of transparency, accountability and responsible public leadership.

He expressed concern that, despite the substantial allocations reportedly received by the councils, many communities across Orlu Zone continued to experience inadequate road infrastructure, limited access to potable water and electricity, poorly equipped healthcare facilities, deteriorating schools and insufficient opportunities for youth empowerment.

According to him, the condition of public infrastructure across several communities in the zone raises legitimate questions on how public funds are being utilised by those in authority.

“The concern of the Orluzurumee Youth Assembly is that these funds may have been subjected to diversion through fictitious awarded contracts, or payments for projects that were never executed,” Obiefule stated.

He stressed that the allegations required proper investigation by the relevant authorities and called for a transparent examination of the councils’ financial records, contracts, project execution reports and payment documents.

The OYA president also urged political leaders and other public office holders across the zone to ensure that public funds under their control are fully accounted for and deployed towards social services and programmes that address the needs of the people.

OYA maintained that public allocations were held in trust for the people and should be managed in accordance with applicable laws and principles of financial accountability.

The group reiterated its commitment to promoting transparency, good governance and sustainable development across the 12 LGAs in the zone.

12 ex-Imo LG chairmen face EFCC probe over alleged diversion of N118.1bn