The former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji and his son, Chinedum, are facing 16 counts of prosecution from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly embezzling N47 billion.
Orji was charged before the Abia State High Court on Friday, together with his son, Dr. Philip Nto, a former Abia State Commissioner of Finance, Obioma King, a government contractor, and Romas Madu, a former Abia State Director of Finance.
Orji and other defendants allegedly embezzled N22.5 billion intended for security votes between 2011 and 2015, according to the EFCC.
They were also accused of stealing N13 billion from a lending facility issued by the defunct Diamond Bank.
The commission claims that the defendants unlawfully took N12 billion from the Paris Club return.
They were also accused of converting N10.5 billion from a loan given by First Bank, earmarked for the state government and its local governments, together with N2 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria funding designated for small and medium companies.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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The defence team, Bode Olanipekun, SAN, Chikaosulu Ojukwu, SAN, K.I. Oleh, Okey Amechi, SAN, and Isaac Anya filed bail applications for the defendants.
The EFCC’s lead prosecution counsel, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, did not object to the bail applications.
After a brief stand down, the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, granted bail to the defendants and adjourned the case till June 18 and 19, 2025, for trial.
