EFCC arraigns ex-Abia governor Theodore Orji over ‘N47bn fraud’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Theodore Orji, a former governor of Abia state, over alleged N47 billion misappropriation.

Orji and four others were arraigned on a 16-count charge at the Abia state high court on Friday.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Orji was governor of Abia from 2007 to 2015 and senator representing Abia central from 2015 to 2023.

Other defendants in the suit are Chinedum Orji, the ex-governor’s son; Philip Nto, a former Abia commissioner of finance; Obioma King, a government contractor; and Romas Madu, a former director of finance in Abia state.

The anti-graft agency accused the five defendants of allegedly misappropriating N22.5 billion allocated for security votes from 2011 to 2015, stealing N13 billion from a loan facility granted by Diamond Bank, and illegal conversion of N12 billion from the Paris Club refund.

The EFCC also alleged that the defendants converted N10.5 billion from a loan granted by First Bank, which was meant for the Abia state government and its local government areas.

During the proceedings, the defence counsel — Bode Olanipekun, representing the former governor; Chikaosulu Ojukwu, representing the second defendant; K.I. Oleh, Okey Amechi, and Isaac Anya — moved the bail applications of their clients.

Kemi Pinheiro, counsel to the EFCC, did not object to the defendants’ bail applications.

Lilian Abai, the trial judge, granted the bail applications and adjourned the case to June 18 and 19, 2025 for trial.

In January, a federal high court in Abuja granted the interim forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to Orji over alleged money laundering.