A HIGH-PROFILE corruption trial has commenced in Abia State, with former Governor Theodore Orji, his son Chinedum Orji, and three others pleading not guilty to allegations of misappropriating ₦47 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, 28 February 2025, arraigned the five defendants before the Abia State High Court in Umuahia on a 16-count charge of conspiracy, theft, and illegal conversion of public funds.
The Explainer gathered that the charges stem from a series of alleged financial infractions during Orji’s tenure as governor between 2007 and 2015. The EFCC alleges that between 2011 and 2015 alone, ₦22.5 billion allocated for security votes was misappropriated. Furthermore, the commission claims that ₦13 billion was diverted from a loan facility provided by the now-defunct Diamond Bank, ₦12 billion was allegedly siphoned from the Paris Club refund, and another ₦10.5 billion reportedly disappeared from a First Bank loan intended for the Abia State government and its local councils. Additionally, ₦2 billion meant for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was allegedly misused.
The Defendants and the Charges
The defendants include:
- Theodore Orji – Former Governor of Abia State
- Chinedum Orji – Son of the former governor and former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly
- Dr. Philip Nto – Former Commissioner of Finance for Abia State
- Obioma King – Government contractor
- Romas Madu – Former Director of Finance for Abia State
Appearing before Chief Judge Justice Lilian Abai, all five defendants denied the charges when the court registrar read them aloud, setting the stage for a legal battle that could define Abia State’s fight against corruption.
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The defence team, comprising Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) such as Bode Olanipekun (representing the first defendant), Chikaosolu Ojukwu (for the second defendant), K.I. Oleh, Okey Amechi, and Isaac Anya, immediately filed bail applications, arguing that their clients had voluntarily appeared before the court and posed no flight risk.
EFCC lead prosecutor, Professor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications but urged the court to impose stringent conditions to ensure the defendants remain available for trial.
After a brief stand-down, Justice Abai granted bail to all five defendants and adjourned proceedings to 18 and 19 June 2025 for trial.
The Explainer gathered that allegations of financial mismanagement have long plagued Abia State, a region struggling with underdeveloped infrastructure and irregular payment of civil servants’ salaries. Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Nigeria 140th out of 180 countries, highlighting ongoing concerns about governance at both state and federal levels.
Reports indicate that security votes—a discretionary fund allocated to state governors without strict oversight—have often been linked to financial scandals. For instance, in 2021, state governors and local government chairmen in Nigeria reportedly spent over ₦375 billion under the guise of security votes, a practice not explicitly provided for in the Nigerian constitution.
In the case of Abia State, public outcry over financial transparency intensified after an earlier EFCC probe alleged that between 2007 and 2015, large sums were withdrawn in cash from government accounts without clear documentation. This investigation led to the arrest of former Governor Theodore Orji in August 2021 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The EFCC’s probe focused on the alleged diversion of over ₦500 billion during Orji’s tenure, including funds from federal accounts, excess crude revenue, SURE-P funds, ecological funds, and various loans.
