The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, his son Chinedum Orji, and three others before the Abia State High Court over allegations of misappropriating ₦47 billion in public funds.
The other defendants in the case include Dr. Philip Nto, a former Abia State Commissioner of Finance; Obioma King, a government contractor; and Romas Madu, a former Director of Finance in the state. They were brought before Justice Lilian Abai on a 16-count charge of conspiracy, theft, and illegal conversion of funds intended for government projects.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly mismanaged ₦22.5 billion allocated for security votes between 2011 and 2015. They were also accused of diverting ₦13 billion from a loan obtained from Diamond Bank and illegally converting ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund. Additionally, the anti-graft agency claimed they misused ₦10.5 billion from a First Bank loan meant for the state and its local councils, as well as ₦2 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) funds designated for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
During the court proceedings, lead prosecutor Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, requested that the charges be read to the defendants, to which all five pleaded not guilty.
The defence team, which included senior lawyers such as Bode Olanipekun, SAN; Chikaosulu Ojukwu, SAN; K.I. Oleh, Esq.; Okey Amechi, SAN; and Isaac Anya, Esq., filed bail applications on behalf of their clients. While the prosecution did not oppose bail, it urged the court to set conditions at its discretion.
After a brief recess, Justice Abai granted bail to the defendants and scheduled the trial for June 18 and 19, 2025.
