The Economy and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC) on Friday, have arraigned former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, alongside four others over allegations of fraud, corruption, and diversion of public funds totaling N60.85 billion.
Orji, along with Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Philip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma, and Romanus K. Madu, appeared before Justice Lilian Abai at the Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, facing a 16-count charge.
The charges include conspiracy, official corruption, stealing, and misappropriation of public funds, which contravene Sections 516 and 516(a) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.
The EFCC disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. The agency stated, “The defendants conspired among themselves to divert funds meant for the development of Abia State, converting public funds for personal use.”
One of the charges alleges that between 2011 and 2015, the defendants stole and converted N22.5 billion from Abia State’s security votes. Another count accuses them of conspiring to divert N12 billion from the state’s share of the Paris Club Refund between 2010 and 2011.
All five defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Prosecution counsel, Dr. Pinheiro SAN, requested the court to fix a date for trial commencement, while defense counsels, including Bode Olanipekun SAN and Chika Osolu Ojukwu SAN, applied for their clients’ bail.
However, Justice Abai granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50 million each, with one surety in like sum. The surety must own landed property in Umuahia with a Certificate of Occupancy and provide an affidavit of means, along with two recent passport photographs. Additionally, the defendants were ordered to deposit their international passports with the court registrar.
“Justice Obai in her ruling, granted the defendants bail in the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00) each, one surety in like sum, surety must have a landed property in Umuahia and must show evidence of Certificate of Occupancy”.
“Additionally, surety must depose an affidavit of means and deposit two recent passport photographs with the court”.
“Defendants must also deposit their international passports with the court registrar”, the statement said.
The case was adjourned to June 18 and 19, 2025, for trial.
