In a significant development in the fight against corruption, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, alongside four others—Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Philip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma, and Romanus K. Madu—before Justice Lilian Abai of the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State. The arraignment took place on Friday, with the defendants facing a sixteen-count charge that includes conspiracy, official corruption, stealing, and the diversion of public funds.
The charges brought against the defendants are violations of Section 516 and 516(a) of the Criminal Code, Law of Abia State, which carries penalties under the same sections of the Act. Among the allegations is the theft and conversion of N22.5 billion allocated to the Abia State Government as security votes between 2011 and 2015. Another count accuses the defendants of conspiring to steal and convert N12 billion from the Paris Club Refund due to Abia State between 2010 and 2011.
During the hearing, all defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges leveled against them. Following this, the prosecution counsel, Dr. Pinheiro SAN, requested the court to set a date for the commencement of the trial. Defense counsels for the defendants—Bode Olanipekun SAN, Chika Osolu Ojukwu SAN, K.I Odeh, Oke Amaechi SAN, and Isaac Anya—each presented applications for bail on behalf of their clients.
Justice Abai granted bail to each defendant in the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00), requiring one surety in the same amount. The conditions for the surety include owning a landed property in Umuahia with evidence of a Certificate of Occupancy, providing an affidavit of means, and submitting two recent passport photographs to the court. Additionally, the defendants must deposit their international passports with the court registrar.
The judge adjourned the matter until June 18 and 19, 2025, for the trial to commence. This case underscores the EFCC’s commitment to tackling financial crimes and ensuring accountability among public officials. As the legal proceedings unfold, the nation awaits further developments in this high-profile case.
