The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, February 28, 2025, arraigned former Governor of Abia State Theodore Orji and four others at the Abia State High Court for alleged misappropriation of about N47 billion.
According to the charge, the defendants misappropriated the sum in tranches of N22.5 billion, N13 billion, N12 billion, N10.5 billion and N2 billion.
The five defendants are Orji, his son Engineer Chinedum Orji, former Commissioner of Finance for Abia State Dr. Philip Nto, government contractor Obioma King, and former Director of Finance for Abia State Romas Madu.
They were brought before Chief Judge Justice Lilian Abai on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal and convert billions of naira meant for various government programs.
Specifically, they are accused of: Misappropriating N22.5 billion allocated for security votes from 2011 to 2015. Stealing N13 billion from a loan facility granted by Diamond Bank and Illegal conversion of N12 billion from the Paris Club refund.
Lastly, they are also accused of converting N10.5 billion from a loan granted by First Bank, meant for the Abia State government and its local councils, along with N2 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria funds designated for small and medium enterprises.
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At the start of the proceedings, lead prosecutor Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, requested that the court registrar read the charges aloud to the defendants to allow them to enter their pleas.
Pinheiro emphasized the importance of ensuring that the defendants fully understood the charges.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Defence 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 bail applications on behalf of their clients.
While the prosecution, led by Pinheiro, did not object to the bail requests, they prayed the court to use its discretion when determining the conditions of bail.
After a brief stand down, Justice Abai granted the defendants bail and adjourned till June 18th and 19th, 2025, for trial.
