The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, along with four others, at the Abia State High Court over the alleged misappropriation of approximately ₦47 billion.
The other defendants include Orji’s son, Engineer Chinedum Orji; former Abia State Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Philip Nto; a government contractor, Obioma King; and a former Director of Finance for the state, Romas Madu.
They appeared before the Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, on a 16-count charge related to conspiracy, theft, and the unlawful conversion of public funds meant for government programs.
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Specifically, the charges include: misappropriating ₦22.5 billion allocated for security votes between 2011 and 2015, diverting ₦13 billion from a Diamond Bank loan, and illegally converting ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund.
Additionally, they are accused of converting ₦10.5 billion from a First Bank loan intended for the Abia State government and local councils, as well as ₦2 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) funds meant for small and medium enterprises.
At the start of the hearing, lead prosecutor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) requested that the charges be read to the defendants so they could formally enter their pleas. He stressed the need for them to fully understand the allegations against them.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty.
The defence team, including Bode Olanipekun (SAN) for the first defendant, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) for the second defendant, along with Okey Amechi (SAN) and Isaac Anya, filed bail applications on behalf of their clients.
While Pinheiro did not oppose the bail requests, he urged the court to set appropriate conditions.
Justice Abai granted the defendants bail and adjourned the case until June 18 and 19, 2025, for trial.
