Former Abia governor, son, officials arraigned over alleged N60.85bn fraud

The Abia State High Court in Umuahia was a scene of high stakes and legal drama on Friday as former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, his son Chinedum Orji, and three others were arraigned on a 16-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They were accused of misappropriation and conversion of a staggering ₦47 billion meant for state development.

For a state that has long battled issues of underdevelopment and unmet promises, this case hits close to home. It’s not just numbers on a legal document — it’s money meant for security, infrastructure, and the growth of small businesses. Money that, if proven to have been diverted, represents dreams deferred and lives put on hold.

The courtroom was packed — journalists, legal observers, and concerned citizens filled every available seat as the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, presided over the session. The EFCC’s lead prosecution counsel, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), wasted no time requesting that the 16-count charge be read aloud, laying bare the gravity of the accusations.

READ ALSO: ‘We will never negotiate with criminal politicians who destroyed Abia’ —Gov Otti

The charges painted a sobering picture:

• ₦22.5bn allegedly misappropriated from Abia State’s security vote between 2011 and 2015.
• ₦13bn allegedly stolen from a loan facility granted by the now-defunct Diamond Bank.
• ₦12bn reportedly diverted from the Paris Club refund, intended to ease financial burdens on the state.
• ₦10.5bn allegedly converted from a First Bank loan meant for the state and its local governments.
• ₦2bn reportedly siphoned from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) funds designated for small and medium enterprises.

The defendants — including Dr. Philip Nto, a former Commissioner of Finance; Obioma King, a government contractor; and Romas Madu, a former Director of Finance pleaded not guilty to the accused.

In a show of legal firepower, the defence team included some of the country’s most respected senior advocates: Bode Olanipekun (SAN), Chikaosulu Ojukwu (SAN), K.I. Oleh, Okey Amechi (SAN), and Isaac Anya. They filed immediate bail applications for their clients, which went unopposed by the EFCC’s lead counsel.

After a brief stand-down, Justice Abai granted the defendants bail though the specific conditions of their release were left to the court’s discretion. The matter was then adjourned until June 18 and 19, 2025, setting the stage for what promises to be a landmark trial.

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