The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, arraigned former Abia State Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji, 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 on a 16-count charge, following his alleged involvement in conspiracy, official corruption, stealing and diversion of public funds of about N60.85billion.
According to the EFCC, the offence is contrary to Sections 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 N22,500,000,000.00 (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 N12,000,000,000.00 (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.
But when the charge was read to Orji and other defendants, they pleaded “not guilty” to the criminal offence.
The development prompted the prosecuting EFCC lawyer, Dr. Pinheiro (SAN), to urge the court to fix a date for commencement of trial.
But the lawyers to Orji and other defendants, 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 their clients.
Lawyer to Orji, Bode Olanipekun prayed the court to grant his client bail to enable him to stand trial. All other defence lawyers made the same pleas before the court.
In her ruling, Justice Obai granted Orji, others defendants bail in the sum of N50million each with one surety in like sum.
The judge added that the surety must have a landed property in Umuahia and must show evidence of Certificate of Occupancy
The court also directed that the surety must depose an affidavit of means and deposit two recent passport photographs with the court, saying that the defendants must also deposit their international passports with the court registrar.
The judge later adjourned the matter till June 18 and 19, 2025 for commencement of trial.
