The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today arraigned a former Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, and four others, at the Abia State High Court for alleged misappropriation of funds.
The five defendants are Orji; his son, Engineer Chinedum Orji; a former Abia State Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Philip Nto; a government contractor, Obioma King, and a former Abia State Director of Finance, Romas Madu.
They were brought before Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai on a 16-count charge bothering on conspiracy to steal and convert billions of naira meant for various government programmes.
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 and 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.
At the start of the proceedings, Lead Prosecutor, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, requested that the court registrar should read the charges to the defendants to allow them to enter their pleas. All five defendants pleaded 'Not Guilty' to the charges.
Defence counsel, including Messrs Bode Olanipekun SAN (representing the first defendant), Chikaosulu Ojukwu SAN (for the second defendant), K. I. Oleh, Okey Amechi SAN, and Isaac Anya filed bail applications on behalf of their clients.
While Pinheiro did not object to the bail requests, he prayed the court to use its discretion to determine the bail terms.
After a brief stand down, Justice Abai granted the defendants bail and adjourned till June 18 and 19, 2025 for trial.
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