Alleged ₦47b Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Ex-Abia Gov Orji, Four Others

Theodore Orji, a former governor of Abia State, and four others were detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday for allegedly misappropriating about $47.5 billion.

Other than the former governor, Romas Madu, his son, Engineer Chinedum Orji, a former Abia State governor, and former Abia State director Romas Madu are his fellow defendants.

On a 16-count conspiracy charge that included the theft and conversion of billions of naira used for various government programs, they were all arraigned before the Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai.

In particular, they are accused of stealing N13 billion from a loan facility provided by Diamond Bank, and illegally converting N12 billion from the refund from the Paris Club. N22.5 billion was used for security votes from 2011 to 2015.

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In addition, they are accused of refining 2 billion dollars from Central Bank of Nigeria funds designated for small and medium enterprises with a loan that First Bank granted to the Abia State government and its local councils.

Lead prosecutor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) requested that the court registrar read the charges to the defendants so they could make their pleas at the start of the case.

Pinheiro stressed the value of making sure the accusers fully comprehend the charges.

The charges were all dropped by each of the five defendants.

On behalf of their clients, Bode Olanipekun, SAN (representing the first defendant), Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN (for the second defendant), Okey Amechi (SAN), and Isaac Anya, the defense team filed bail applications.

Pinheiro requested the court’s discretion in determining the terms of the bail, but he objected.

Source: Channels TV