The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned Theodore Orji, the former Governor of Abia State, alongside his son Chinedum Orji, and three other individuals before the Abia State High Court. The five individuals are facing allegations of misappropriating a staggering ₦47 billion in public funds.
The co-defendants include Dr. Philip Nto, a former Commissioner of Finance in Abia State; Obioma King, a government contractor; and Romas Madu, a former Director of Finance. They appeared before Justice Lilian Abai, facing a 16-count charge that includes conspiracy, theft, and the illegal conversion of public funds intended for government projects.
The EFCC’s accusations against the defendants are wide-ranging. They include the misappropriation of ₦22.5 billion in security votes between 2011 and 2015, and the diversion of ₦13 billion from a loan facility provided by Diamond Bank. The accused are also alleged to have unlawfully converted ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund, misused ₦10.5 billion from a First Bank loan for Abia State and its local councils, and stolen ₦2 billion allocated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
During the court proceedings, lead prosecutor Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, requested the charges be read to the defendants for their plea. All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In response, the defense counsel, including Bode Olanipekun, SAN (representing the first defendant), Chikaosulu Ojukwu, SAN (for the second defendant), K.I. Oleh, Esq., Okey Amechi, SAN, and Isaac Anya, Esq., filed applications for bail. While the prosecution did not oppose the bail requests, it urged the court to carefully consider appropriate bail conditions.
Following a brief recess, Justice Abai granted bail to the accused individuals and adjourned the trial to June 18 and 19, 2025.
