The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and his son, Chinedum, with 16 counts of misappropriating N47 billion.
Appearing before the Abia State High Court on Friday, Orji, his son, former Commissioner of Finance Dr. Philip Nto, government contractor Obioma King, and former Director of Finance Romas Madu faced allegations of financial misconduct.
Specifically, the EFCC accused the defendants of misappropriating N22.5 billion in security votes between 2011 and 2015, stealing N13 billion from a defunct Diamond Bank loan, illegally diverting N12 billion from the Paris Club refund, converting N10.5 billion from a First Bank loan meant for the state and local governments, and misappropriating N2 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria funds allocated for small and medium enterprises.
All defendants pleaded not guilty. Their legal team, consisting of prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria, filed bail applications, which the EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, did not oppose.
Following a brief recess, Abia State Chief Judge Justice Lilian Abai granted bail to the defendants and scheduled the trial for June 18 and 19, 2025.
