28
Feb
Feb
FORMER ABIA STATE GOVERNOR THEODORE ORJI, 4 OTHERS ARRAIGNED FOR ALLEGED N60.85 BILLION FRAUD
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CapitalTimesNews / 1 week
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and four other individuals before Justice Lilian Abai at the Abia State High Court in Umuahia. They face 16 charges connected to the suspected misappropriation of N60.85 billion in state funds. The lawsuit, initiated by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, names Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji as the first defendant, followed by Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma, and Romanus K. Madu as the second, third, fourth, and fifth defendants, respectively. According to court documents, the charges detail a range of supposed financial crimes occurring over multiple years. One of the allegations claims that in 2015, the defendants conspired to misappropriate N2 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria funds intended for Small and Medium Enterprises allocated to Abia State. Another allegation states that in 2013, the defendants plotted to misappropriate N850 million intended for ecological projects. Additional accusations involve the misappropriation of N22.5 billion from security vote funds, N12 billion from the Paris Club refund, and N13 billion taken from a Diamond Bank loan in 2015. The defendants are also accused of misappropriating N10.5 billion from a First Bank loan meant to support both the state and local government councils in 2012. The EFCC’s charges cite different sections of the Abia State Criminal Code, including Sections 516, 516(A), 390(5), 98, and 104. All defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, and their counsel applied for bail. Justice Abai granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50 million each, with one surety in like sum, and adjourned the matter to June 18 and 19, 2025, for commencement of trial.