Legal action has been taken by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against a former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, and his son, Chinedum, over alleged misappropriation of N47bn.
The charges, totaling 16 counts, were brought against Orji, his son, a former Commissioner of Finance for Abia State, a government contractor, and a former Director of Finance for Abia State at the Abia State High Court.
The EFCC claims that the accused parties diverted N22.5bn meant for security votes between 2011 and 2015, as well as embezzled N13bn from a loan received from the defunct Diamond Bank.
Additionally, they are accused of unlawfully converting N12bn from the Paris Club refund, N10.5bn from a loan intended for the state government and its local governments from First Bank, and N2bn from Central Bank of Nigeria funds allocated for small and medium enterprises.
Despite pleading not guilty, the defendants had bail applications submitted by their defense team and were granted bail by the Chief Judge of Abia State. The case has been adjourned for trial until June 18 and 19, 2025.