A former Governor of Abia State, Nigeria, Theodore Ahamefule Orji and his son, Chinedum Orji, were on Friday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before Justice Lilian Abai, of the Federal High Court, Umuahia, the State capital.
Also arraigned with them on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, official corruption, stealing and diversion of public funds to the tune of N60.85 billion, are Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu.
The younger Orji is a former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly.
Among other allegations, EFCC accuses them of fraudulently converting ₦22 billion allocation for security votes and ₦12 billion funds due to Abia State from the Paris Club for their own use.
The anti-graft agency said the offence contravenes Section 516 and 516(a) of the Criminal Code, Law of Abia State and punishable under the same Section of the same Act.
One of the count charges reads:
That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, ENGR. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu, sometime between 2011 and 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court stole and converted a sum of ₦22,500,000,000.00 (Twenty-Two Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira Only) being the allocation to the Abia State Government as security votes and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Section 390 (5) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.
Another count reads
That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, ENGR. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu, sometime between 2010 and 2011 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired among yourselves to commit unlawful acts to wit, stealing and conversion of the sum of ₦12,000,000,000.00 (Twelve Billion Naira Only) being the funds due to Abia State from the Paris Club Refund and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provisions of Sections 516 and 516(a) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.
All the defendants pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel, Dr. Pinheiro (SAN), prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial.
Counsel to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendant, Bode Olanipekun (SAN), Chika Osolu Ojukwu (SAN), K.I Odeh, Oke Amaechi (SAN) and Isaac Anya, informed the court of their respective applications for the bail of the defendants.
Counsel to 1st defendant, Bode Olanipekun prayed the court to grant his client bail to enable him to stand trial. All other defence counsels made the same pleas before the court.
Justice Obai in her ruling, granted the defendants bail in the sum of ₦50 million each, one surety in like sum, surety must have a landed property in Umuahia and must show evidence of Certificate of Occupancy
Additionally, surety must depose an affidavit of means and deposit two recent passport photographs with the court.
Defendants must also deposit their international passports with the court registrar.
The judge adjourned the matter to June 18 and 19, 2025 for commencement of trial.
