The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, and four others at the Abia State High Court in Umuahia over an alleged ₦47 billion fraud. The defendants, including Orji’s son, Chinedum Orji, were brought before the Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, official corruption, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds.
The other defendants in the case include Dr. Philip Nto, a former Commissioner of Finance in Abia State; Obioma King, a government contractor; and Romas Madu, a former Director of Finance in the state government. The EFCC alleged that the defendants misappropriated security votes, diverted loans meant for public projects, and illegally converted funds from the Paris Club refund and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) fund.
Breakdown of Alleged Financial Mismanagement
The charges against the defendants revolve around multiple financial transactions between 2010 and 2015, which the EFCC claims were illegal diversions of public funds. The key allegations include:
Security Votes Misuse: The EFCC alleges that Orji and his co-defendants misappropriated ₦22.5 billion allocated for security votes between 2011 and 2015. These funds were meant to address security challenges in the state but were allegedly siphoned into private accounts.
Loan Diversions: The defendants allegedly diverted ₦13 billion from a loan facility granted by Diamond Bank, and another ₦10.5 billion from a loan provided by First Bank, both intended for state development and local council projects.
Paris Club Refund Fraud: The EFCC accuses the defendants of illegally converting ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund, which was meant to ease the state’s financial burdens.
CBN SME Funds Misuse: The prosecution further claims that ₦2 billion from the CBN SME funds, meant to support small and medium-sized businesses in Abia State, was unlawfully diverted.
The EFCC insists that these financial crimes significantly undermined the state’s economy and deprived Abia residents of essential public services.
Court Proceedings and Defendants’ Pleas
At the commencement of the trial, lead prosecutor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) requested the court registrar to read out the charges to the defendants. Each of them pleaded not guilty to all 16 counts. The defense, led by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) Bode Olanipekun, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, and Okey Amechi, subsequently filed bail applications on behalf of their clients.
The EFCC did not oppose the bail requests but urged the court to impose strict conditions to ensure the defendants’ availability for trial. Justice Abai, after reviewing the applications, granted bail to each defendant in the sum of ₦50 million, with a surety of the same amount. The sureties must possess landed properties in Umuahia and provide evidence of ownership via a Certificate of Occupancy. The defendants were also required to surrender their international passports to the court registrar.
EFCC’s Stance on the Case
Following the arraignment, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to prosecuting financial crimes, particularly cases involving public officeholders. He emphasized that the EFCC had gathered substantial evidence to support the allegations and was determined to ensure accountability.
According to Oyewale, the prosecution will present detailed financial records, bank statements, and witness testimonies during the trial to demonstrate how the defendants allegedly conspired to siphon state funds. He also stressed that this case is part of the EFCC’s broader crackdown on corruption among former governors and public officials across Nigeria.
Trial Adjournment and Expectations
Justice Abai adjourned the trial to June 18 and 19, 2025, for the commencement of full hearings. Legal analysts suggest that the case could set a significant precedent in Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts, particularly in the prosecution of former state governors.
The trial is expected to be keenly watched, given the high-profile nature of the defendants and the gravity of the allegations. If convicted, Orji and his co-defendants could face lengthy prison terms, asset forfeitures, and financial penalties. The case also raises questions about financial management in Nigerian states and the effectiveness of existing oversight mechanisms.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the EFCC’s prosecution team will seek to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants engaged in large-scale corruption and financial mismanagement, while the defense is expected to challenge the evidence and seek acquittal.
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