Former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and four others were arraigned on Friday before the Abia State High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged misappropriation of N47 billion.
Orji was arraigned alongside his son, Chinedum Orji; former Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Philip Nto; a government contractor, Obioma King; and former Director of Finance, Romas Madu. They face 16 counts of conspiracy to steal and conversion of public funds.
During the proceedings before Chief Judge Justice Lilian Abai, EFCC’s lead prosecution counsel, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), requested that the charges be read to the defendants for their pleas.
The EFCC accused them of misappropriating N22.5 billion allocated for security votes between 2011 and 2015, diverting N13 billion from a loan granted by the defunct Diamond Bank, and illegally converting N12 billion from the Paris Club refund.
They were also alleged to have misused N10.5 billion from a First Bank loan meant for the state and its local governments, along with N2 billion from a Central Bank of Nigeria fund designated for small and medium enterprises.
All defendants pleaded not guilty. Their legal team, including Bode Olanipekun (SAN), Chikaosulu Ojukwu (SAN), K.I. Oleh, Okey Amechi (SAN), and Isaac Anya, filed bail applications, which the EFCC did not oppose.
After a brief recess, Justice Abai granted them bail and adjourned the case to June 18 and 19, 2025, for trial.
