Ngozi Mbachu, Umuahia
A former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji; his son and former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji: and three others were Friday arraigned before the Abia High Court sitting in Umuahia for alleged financial crime.
Other persons arraigned with the duo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, were a former Commissioner for Finance, Dr Philp Nto; former Director of Finance, Government House, Mr Romanus Madu; and a local contractor, Mr King Obioma.
The anti-graft agency through its legal team led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, slammed 16 counts of charge against the defendants.
They were accused of conspiring and stealing public funds to the tune of over N40 billion while the former Governor was in power.
Senator Orji superintended over the affairs of Abia State from 2007-2015.
Some of the allegations include “N22.5 billion allocated as security votes to Abia State from 2011 to 2015;” and “N2 billion being proceeds of the Central Bank of Nigeria Funds for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) allocated to Abia State.”
EFCC also accused them of “stealing N12 billion being the funds due to Abia State from the Paris Club Refund.”
After the counts were read to the accused persons by the trial Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, they all pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Meanwhile, the Court granted them bail in the sum of N50 million.
The matter was therefore, adjourned till June 18 and 19 for EFCC to open its case against the defendants.
Speaking with newsmen on behalf of the defendants, Daniel Anya, said the counts were “very bogus.”
He said the onus was on the anti-graft agency to prove the allegations before the court, insisting that his clients are innocent until proven otherwise.
The lawyer, however, commended the court for granting bail to the defendants who he said, “are respected citizens and elder statesmen.”
