The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, February 28, 2025, arraigned the former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji and four others before Justice Lilian Abai of the Abia State High Court in Umuahia, over an alleged N60.85 billion fraud.
The defendants, who face a 16-count charge of money laundering, include Theodore Orji, Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene Obioma, and Romanus Madu.
They are accused of embezzling billions of naira from the state government funds.
According to court documents, the key allegations against the defendants include, the theft of N2 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) funds allocated to Abia State in 2015; diversion of N850 million from the ecological fund meant for Abia State in 2013, and the embezzlement of N22.5 billion between 2011 and 2015 under the guise of security votes.
Other allegations are the misappropriation of N12 billion from the Paris Club refund between 2010 and 2011; theft of N13 billion in 2015, from a loan facility granted by the then Diamond Bank Plc, and the diversion of N10.5 billion from a First Bank Plc loan intended for the state government, and local government councils in 2012.
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The EFCC in filing the case, accused the former governor, and his co-defendants of conspiring to commit financial crimes in violation of Sections 516, 516 (A), 98, 104, and 390 (5) of the Criminal Code of Abia State.
Justice Obai in her ruling, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50 million each, one surety in like sum, while the surety must have a landed property in Umuahia, and must show evidence of the property’s certificate of occupancy.
Additionally, the surety must depose to an affidavit of means, and deposit two recent passport photographs with the court. Also, the defendants must deposit their international passports with the court registrar.
The judge adjourned the matter to June 18 and 19, 2025, for commencement of trial.
