On Friday, February 28, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) heard former Abia Governor Theodore Orji, his son Chinedum Orji, and three other counts in the Abia High Court allegedly suspected of misappropriating public funds, totaling 47 billion.
Vanguard reported that other defendants include former Abia State Finance Commissioner Dr. Philip NTO, Obioma King government contractor and former ABIA State Finance Director Romas Madu.
They were arraigned before Justice Lilian Abai, demanding 16 conspiracy, theft and illegal conversion of the government’s public funds.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants misappropriated 2.5 billion guilds, allocated guilds 2.5 billion between 2011 and 2015, and transferred guilds 13 billion from the loan facility granted by Diamond Bank.
During the proceedings, Chief Prosecutor Professor Kemi Pinheiro of SAN asked the defendant to read the charge aloud and demanded that he plead guilty.
All five pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Defense attorneys, including Bode Olanipekun, San (first defendant), Chikaosulu Ojukwu, San (second defendant), Ki Oleh, Esq. , Okey Amechi, San and Isaac Anya, Esq. Esq. , submitted a bail application on behalf of the client.
The prosecution did not object to the bail request, but urged the court to make a decision at its discretion under set conditions.
After a brief recess, Judge Abbe granted bail to the defendant and placed the trial until June 18-19, 2025.
