Igbo Community in Abuja Demands EFCC Probe Over N780m Church Budget

The Igbo Community Association (ICA), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the controversy surrounding the ₦780 million reportedly budgeted for church maintenance and musical instruments in Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State.

The association also criticised the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who has been linked to the disputed budget provision.

In a statement jointly signed by its President General, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, and Secretary General, Mazi Chinwoke Emmanuel Onah, the ICA described the allocation as disturbing and inconsistent with the developmental needs of the South-East.

The group condemned what it called the insertion of ₦780 million into the national budget for the maintenance and refurbishment of unnamed churches within Kalu’s constituency.

According to the association, the expenditure comes at a time when Abia State and the wider South-East continue to face economic hardship, insecurity and inadequate public infrastructure.

The ICA argued that public resources should instead be directed towards improving education, healthcare and other critical sectors affecting ordinary citizens.

“At a time when the South-East region, particularly Hon. Kalu’s home state of Abia, is grappling with severe economic hardship, insecurity and decaying public infrastructure, prioritising nearly one billion naira for repainting churches is a profound misplacement of public trust,” the statement read.

The association noted that many schools in Abia remain in poor condition, while teachers continue to struggle with inadequate remuneration and healthcare facilities require urgent intervention.

It also stressed that Nigeria is a secular state and questioned the justification for allocating such a substantial amount to church-related projects.

The ICA further expressed concern that the budget provision could serve as a channel for political funding ahead of future elections.

Consequently, it urged the EFCC and other relevant anti-corruption agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allocation and establish whether due process was followed.

The association also called on Kalu to refocus his legislative priorities on projects capable of improving the welfare of his constituents.

It maintained that the South-East deserves effective representation that addresses pressing socio-economic challenges rather than projects it described as disconnected from the immediate needs of the people.

The controversy has continued to generate public debate over constituency projects and transparency in the implementation of the 2026 federal budget.