The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, February 28, 2025, arraigned former Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, alongside 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 defendants face a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, official corruption, stealing, and the diversion of public funds.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences contravene Sections 516 and 516(a) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State and are punishable under the same provisions. The charges include the alleged misappropriation of ₦22.5 billion allocated as security votes between 2011 and 2015 and the unlawful conversion of ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund between 2010 and 2011.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Philip 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 states:
“That you, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Philip 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.”
Upon the reading of the charges, all five defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecution counsel, Dr. Pinheiro (SAN), urged the court to set a date for trial, while defense counsels, including Bode Olanipekun (SAN), Chika Osolu Ojukwu (SAN), K.I. Odeh, Oke Amaechi (SAN), and Isaac Anya, presented bail applications for their respective clients.
Counsel for the first defendant, Bode Olanipekun (SAN), appealed for bail to allow his client to stand trial while enjoying his constitutional rights. Other defense counsels made similar submissions.
In her ruling, Justice Abai granted the defendants bail under the following conditions:
- Each defendant must provide a bail bond of ₦50 million.
- One surety in like sum, who must own landed property in Umuahia and present proof of ownership, including a Certificate of Occupancy.
- The surety must submit an affidavit of means and provide two recent passport photographs.
- Defendants must surrender their international passports to the court registrar.
Following the bail ruling, the court adjourned the matter to June 18 and 19, 2025, for trial commencement.
