A former Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, and four others were arraigned before the Abia State High Court on Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of misappropriating N47 billion.
Orji, along with his son, Chinedum Orji, a former Commissioner of Finance for Abia State, Dr. Philip Nto, a government contractor, Obioma King, and a former Director of Finance for Abia State, Romas Madu, are facing 16 counts of conspiracy, theft, and the unlawful conversion of billions of naira allocated for various government programs.
When the case was called before the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, the EFCC’s lead prosecution counsel, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), requested that the charges be read to the defendants, allowing them to enter their pleas.
The EFCC alleges that the accused misappropriated N22.5 billion in security votes from 2011 to 2015. They are also accused of embezzling N13 billion from a loan facility provided by the now-defunct Diamond Bank, converting N12 billion from the Paris Club refund, and unlawfully converting N10.5 billion from a loan granted by First Bank meant for state and local government projects. Additionally, they face charges of misappropriating N2 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s fund designated for small and medium enterprises.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. Their defense team, including Bode Olanipekun (SAN) for the first defendant, Chikaosulu Ojukwu (SAN) for the second defendant, and K.I. Oleh, Okey Amechi (SAN), and Isaac Anya for the others, filed bail applications on their behalf. Pinheiro did not object to the bail requests, and the defense counsel urged the court to exercise its discretion in determining bail conditions.
After a brief adjournment, Justice Abai granted bail to the defendants and adjourned the trial until June 18 and 19, 2025.
