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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) hauled ex-Abia State Governor, Senator Theodore Orji, and his son, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji—once the state’s Assembly Speaker—into the dock, accusing them of masterminding a scheme that siphoned billions of naira from public coffers through alleged collusion and graft.
Joined in the legal fray were Dr. Philip Nto, a past Finance Commissioner; Mr. Romanus Madu, who once helmed finances at Government House; and King Obioma, a local contractor, all tangled in the same web of suspected financial misconduct.
The case, docketed as HU/69c/2024 and lodged on October 8, 2024, landed before Court 1 of the Abia State High Court, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
Leading the EFCC’s charge were heavyweights Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, and Rotimi Oyedopo, fronting a formidable posse of 11 legal minds, as detailed in the prosecution’s filing. When Chief Judge Justice Lilian Abai unfurled the 16-count indictment, each defendant stood firm, entering a resounding “not guilty” plea to the litany of charges.
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The counts of charge included alleged misappropriation of “N22.5 billion allocated as security votes to Abia State from 2011 to 2015”; as well as another “N2 billion being proceeds of the Central Bank of Nigeria Funds for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) allocated to Abia State”.
They were equally accused of “stealing N12 billion being the funds due to Abia State from the Paris Club Refund”; as well as “stealing N13 billion being the proceeds of the loan facility granted by the then Diamond Bank Plc to the Abia State Government”.
The trial judge didn’t waste time, cutting all the defendants loose on a N50 million bail each—a hefty sum, sure, but it’s a lifeline as they gear up for the legal slugfest ahead.
The case got bumped to June 18 and 19, 2025, when the EFCC will step up to the plate and start laying out its evidence against the accused crew—mark your calendars, because that’s when the fireworks begin.
Later, chatting with the press, defense lawyer Daniel Anya didn’t mince words, calling the 16-count rap sheet “a load of hot air.” He’s confident it’s more bluster than substance.
Still, he gave a nod to the court for letting his clients walk on bail, pointing out they’re “big names—real heavyweights in the community—who’ve earned that kind of respect,” his tone blending pride with a touch of defiance.
