The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, February 28, arraigned former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, his son Chinedum Orji, and three others before the Abia State High Court over alleged misappropriation of public funds amounting to ₦47 billion.
Vanguard reports that the other defendants include Dr. Philip Nto, former Abia State Commissioner of Finance, Obioma King government contractor and Romas Madu, a former Director of Finance, Abia state.
They were arraigned before Justice Lilian Abai on a 16-count charge of conspiracy, theft, and illegal conversion of public funds meant for government projects.
The EFCC accused the defendants of Misappropriating N22.5 billion allocated for security votes between 2011 and 2015, diverting N13 billion from a loan facility granted by Diamond Bank.
During the proceedings, lead prosecutor Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, requested that the charges be read aloud to the defendants for their plea.
All five pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Defence counsel, including Bode Olanipekun, SAN (for the first defendant), Chikaosulu Ojukwu, SAN (for the second defendant), K.I. Oleh, Esq., Okey Amechi, SAN, and Isaac Anya, Esq., filed bail applications on behalf of their clients.
The prosecution did not oppose the bail requests but urged the court to apply its discretion in setting conditions.
After a brief recess, Justice Abai granted bail to the defendants and adjourned the trial to June 18 and 19, 2025.