All of the accused were granted bail in the amount of N50 million by the judge who presided over the trial.
Senator Theodore Orji, a former governor of Abia State, and his son, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, a former speaker of the State House of Assembly, were both charged on Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their involvement in a conspiracy and the misuse of public monies amounting to billions of Naira.
The individuals in question were brought before the court along with a former Commissioner for Finance named Dr. Philp Nto, a former Director of Finance at Government House named Mr. Romanus Madu, and a contractor working within the state named King Obioma.
Following its filing on October 8, 2024, the charge sheet with the designation HU/69c/2024 was brought before the Court 1 of the Abia State High Court for consideration.
In accordance with the charge sheet, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, and Rotimi Oyedopo led the team of eleven attorneys that comprised the EFCC. During this time, the trial judge and Chief Judge of Abia State, Honorable Justice Lilian Abai, read the 16 counts of charges that were brought against the defendants. All of the defendants pleaded not guilty.
The allegations included the alleged misuse of N22.5 billion that was allotted to Abia State as security votes between the years 2011 and 2015. Additionally, another N2 billion was alleged to have been the earnings of the Central Bank of Nigeria Funds for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) that were allotted to Abia State.
In addition, they were accused of stealing N12 billion, which was the money that was owed to Abia State from the Paris Club Refund, and N13 billion, which was the money that was obtained from the credit facility that was issued to the Abia State Government by Diamond Bank Plc at the time.
All of the accused were granted bail in the amount of N50 million by the judge who presided over the trial. It was decided to postpone the hearing till June 18 and 19, so that the EFCC may begin its proceedings against the accused.