The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, his son Chinedum Orji, and three others over allegations of misappropriating N47 billion in public funds.
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The arraignment took place on Friday at the Abia State High Court, where the defendants appeared before Justice Lilian Abai on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, theft, and illegal conversion of public funds.
Also facing trial are Dr. Philip Nto, a former Abia State Commissioner of Finance; Obioma King, a government contractor; and Romas Madu, a former Director of Finance for Abia State.
The EFCC accused them of several financial infractions, including the misappropriation of N22.5 billion in security votes between 2011 and 2015, diversion of N13 billion from a loan obtained from Diamond Bank, illegal conversion of N12 billion in Paris Club refunds, misuse of a N10.5 billion First Bank loan meant for state and local government projects, and the alleged theft of N2 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) funds designated for small and medium enterprises.
During the court session, lead prosecutor Prof. Kemi Pinheiro requested that the charges be read to the defendants, all of whom pleaded not guilty. The defence counsel then applied for bail, which Justice Abai granted, adjourning the trial to June 18 and 19, 2025.
This comes a month after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the interim freezing and forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to Theodore Orji to the federal government over allegations of money laundering.
