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Tag: EFCC

  • BREAKING: EFCC quizzes former Tinubu’s Minister over alleged N138m fraud 

    BREAKING: EFCC quizzes former Tinubu’s Minister over alleged N138m fraud 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has quizzed a former Minister for Women Affairs,  Uju Kennedy Ohanenye for her alleged roles in the misappropriation of N138million.

    The ex-Minister was one of those dropped recently by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

    She was alleged to have violated procurement process and diverted  public funds of about N138million in the course of disbursing the 2023 budgeted funds for the Ministry. 

    She arrived in the anti-graft commission headquarters around 11:00 am and was still facing interrogators on her alleged involvement in the fraud as at press time.  

    Read Also: Alleged N80.2b fraud: Yahaya Bello not involved in operation of Kogi Govt House’s account – EFCC’s witness 

    Investigations by the EFCC showed that funds donated for the funding of P- Bat Cares for Women Initiative were diverted. 

    EFCC detectives were considering other clues as part of the ongoing investigation.

     She has not been admitted to administrative bail.

    Details Shortly…

  • Businessman loses bid to halt EFCC’s probe

    Businessman loses bid to halt EFCC’s probe

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating a businessman, Abu Samaila Isa Funtua.

    Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed the case on the grounds that the application request lacked merit and substance.

    Delivering judgment in the fundamental rights enforcement suit against the AGF and EFCC, Justice Nwite held that while the AGF has significant authority to take over proceedings in criminal matters, those powers are not unlimited.

    According to the judge, under Section 43 of the EFCC Act 2004, the anti-graft agency is not obligated to seek approval from any ministry or agency before initiating an investigation into alleged economic crimes.

    The businessman had filed suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2024 against the AGF and EFCC, alleging unlawful investigation into certain business transactions involving him and others.

    He claimed that the EFCC was biased and acting maliciously in the manner it was investigating him.

    Funtua alleged that the EFCC was acting on behalf of his business adversaries to target him unfairly without informing him of the nature of his offence or presenting any petition against him.

    As a result, Funtua sought an order of mandamus compelling the AGF to direct the EFCC to drop the investigation and assign another federal security agency to handle the matter.

    However, Justice Nwite ruled that Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution, on which the case was based, does not grant the AGF the power to assign investigations of economic crimes to other agencies.

    The judge further stated that in carrying out its statutory duties, the EFCC is not bound to obey directives from any government ministry or department.

    Justice Nwite stressed that Section 43 of the EFCC Act 2004 empowers the anti-graft agency to investigate alleged economic crimes and prosecute those found culpable.

    He subsequently dismissed the suit for lack of merit and substance.

  • Former Akwa Ibom Gov returns home after honouring EFCC invitation

    Former Akwa Ibom Gov returns home after honouring EFCC invitation

    The immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has returned home after honouring an invitation by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    This was made known in a press statement issued by Barrister Stephen Abia.

    He stated: “In what was purely a routine affair, the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, CON, honoured the invitation by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This he did, seamlessly in his undaunted spirit of patriotism and sense of responsibility.

    Abia stated that such an invitation was normal and should not be construed as a conviction.

    He said: “It is worth emphasizing here that this invitation has been extended to thousands of Nigerians, both the rich and the not-so-rich, political and corporate titans. An invitation, therefore, is not a conviction. But a section of the media, egged on by Mr. Emmanuel’s traducers and political adversaries, has made the invitation seem like he was convicted. Dispassionate minds need to note the elementary distinctions between an invitation and honouring same, and an arrest which demands some legal mechanics.”

    “Mr. Udom Emmanuel had since yesterday evening left the EFCC headquarters in Abuja to his home. He was not detained, it must be emphasized, as was reported yesterday by a section of the press. As a statesman, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is open to interactions within the confines of the law as one who has nothing to hide dreads no query.”

    Read Also: EFCC quizzes ex- Governor Emmanuel

    He also used the opportunity to highlight some of Udom Emmanuel’s achievements in office.

    “Mr. Udom Emmanuel presided over a robust growth in Akwa Ibom State. He faced two harsh economic environments: the economic meltdown that occurred shortly after he was sworn in in 2015, which saw the price of oil drop to historic lows, and the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the world shortly after he was sworn in for a second term.

    “In spite of these, he presided over eight years of economic growth that saw many expansions in the infrastructural profile of the state, earning Akwa Ibom the singular distinction of the state with the best road network of all the sub-nationals in the nation.

    “He established Ibom Air, which today, has been adjudged the best airline in Nigeria, and ran a deeply transparent government where the budgets and government expenditures were regularly published.

    “His performance was applauded across party lines, leading to the award of the Commander of the Order of Nigeria (CON) bestowed on him by the immediate past President and Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, despite being a Governor elected on the platform of the PDP.

  • EFCC quizzes ex- Governor Emmanuel

    EFCC quizzes ex- Governor Emmanuel

    Former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N700 billion misappropriation.

    Emmanuel was arrested yesterday after honouring the agency’s invitation to answer charges of money laundering, diversion of funds and stealing preferred against him by the Network against Corruption and Trafficking (NCAT).

    He arrived at the EFCC’s office around 12:30pm.

    The commission’s investigations have uncovered the withdrawal of N31 billion in cash from an account opened in the name of Office of the Governor.

    Read Also: EFCC arraigns Jude Okoye over alleged $1m, £34,500 theft

    The money was withdrawn in cash progressively between 2019 and 2023.

    The petitioner claimed that Emmanuel received N3 trillion from the Federation Account in eight years but left a debt profile of N500 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth N300 billion.

    He was also alleged to be unable to account for N700 billion.

    As at press time last night, the former governor was still being grilled by operatives of the anti-graft agency.

    But the EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Dele Oyewale, could not be reached when contacted by our reporter.

  • EFCC arraigns Jude Okoye over alleged $1m, £34,500 theft

    EFCC arraigns Jude Okoye over alleged $1m, £34,500 theft

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned Jude Okoye, former manager of defunct music group P-Square, over alleged theft of $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59.

    In the fresh charges marked Ref/99260/2025, alongside his company, Northside Music Limited, he is facing a fresh four-count charge before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja.

    Prosecutor Mohammed Bashiru told the court that Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, allegedly converted $767,544.15 for his personal use.

    The sum was paid by Lex Records Limited for music digital distribution and publishing royalties, allegedly to deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest in the property.

    The alleged offences occurred between 2016 and 2023.

    One of the charges reads: “Jude Chigozie Okoye and Northside Music Ltd sometimes in 2016 and 2023 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use, an aggregate sum of $767,544.15 (Seven hundred and sixty-seven thousand, Five hundred and forty-four dollars, Fifteen cents) which sum was paid by Lex Records Limited as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties and with intent to permanently deprive Peter Obunmuneme Okoye his special interest in the property.”

    Read Also: Absence of Psquare’s ex-manager, Jude Okoye, stalls arraignment

    Another charge reads: “Jude Chigozie Okoye and Northside Music Limited between 2016 and 2023 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use, an aggregate sum of GBP 34,537.59 (Thirty-four thousand, five hundred and thirty-seven pounds, Fifty-nine pence), which sum was paid by Lex Records Limited as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties and with intent to permanently deprive Peter Obunmuneme Okoye his special interest in the property.”

    According to the prosecutor, Okoye dishonestly converted £34,537.59, $133,566.49, and $118,652.23, paid by Lex Records Limited, Kobalt Music, and Mtech Limited, respectively.

    The alleged offences, which took place between 2016 and 2023, contravene sections 278 and 285 of the Lagos State criminal laws 2011.

    Okoye, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The development came after the Federal High Court granted Okoye bail in the sum of N100m, with two sureties, in a similar case of seven counts.

  • EFCC: we arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters

    EFCC: we arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said its operatives, not bandits, were the ones who stormed into the Whitehill Hotel in Minna last Thursday to arrest 11 persons suspected to be internet fraudsters.

    On its website, the anti-corruption agency said its operatives from the Kaduna Zonal Directorate stormed the hotel following credible intelligence tips.

    “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Directorate, on Thursday, February 27, 2025 arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters.

    Read Also: Edo election dispute: Tribunal reserves judgment

    “They were arrested in broad daylight at White Hotel, Chanchanga Local Government Area in Niger State, following credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet activities.”

    The Commission stated that its operatives carried out the arrest professionally while wondering where the sources claiming abduction came from. Two vehicles and 13 phones of various brands were recovered from the arrested persons.

    “The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the Commission stated.

  • EFCC to arraign P-Square’s ex-manager for alleged $1m, £34,000 theft

    EFCC to arraign P-Square’s ex-manager for alleged $1m, £34,000 theft

    The Economic and Financial Crimes’s Commission will today arraign the elder brother of Peter Okoye (Alias Mr P) and Paul Okoye (Alias Rudeboy), Jude Okoye, the former manager of the hip-hop artists, of the defunct music group P-square, on fresh charges of $1,019,763.87 and £34,537.59, theft before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja.

    Already, the EFCC had filed a four-count  against the defendants before Justice Rahman Oshodi.

    The arraignment which was initially slated for yesterday (Monday) could not go on because the Ikoyi Correctional Centre had not received any information for his arraignment at Ikeja.

    In the charge marked Ref/99260/2025, EFCC, accused Jude of dishonestly converting the sum of $767,544.15, to his own use, the alleged sum which was paid by Lex Records Limited as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye his special interest in the property.

    He was also accused to have sometimes between 2016 and 2023, dishonestly converted the sum of £34,537.59, paid by Lex Records limited as payment for music digital distribution/ publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye his special interest in the property.

    The commission alleged that P- Square’s ex-manager dishonestly converted the sum of $133,566.49, which sum paid by Kobalt Music digital distribution/publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye his special interest in the property.

    The anti-graft agency said the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of $118,652.23, paid by Mtech Limited as payment for music digital distribution publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye his special interest.

    According to EFCC, the offences committed contravened sections 278 and 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2011.

    Read Also: CNA advocates development of legislative drafting manual for National Assembly

    Earlier the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday granted N100m bail to Jude Okoye, the former manager of the hip-hop artists, the defunct music group P-square.

    Justice Alexander Owoeye granted him bail with two sureties in like sum.

    Jude Okoye, was arraigned on February 26, 2025, before the court by Economic and Financial Crimes’s Commission on alleged crime of money laundering involving N1.38bn, $1m, and £34,537.59.

    He was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Limited, on seven counts preferred against him by EFCC.

    The Commission told the court that the defendant alongside his Northside Music Limited sometime in 2022, directly acquired a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth  N850,000,000 the money he knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activities.

    The anti-graft agency also alleged that Okoye and his company, in 2022, used a Bureau De Change to convert $1,019,762.87, held in an Access Bank account operated by Northside Music Ltd, into Naira and transferred the funds into various bank accounts to conceal the illicit origin of the money.

    According to EFCC, the offences committed contravened Sections 18 (2)(a) and is punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.

    Okoye pleaded not guilty to all the  counts.

    However, Okoye’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application and requested a short date for its hearing, the court then adjourned till Friday to hear the bail application.

    On Friday when the matter came up, both the prosecution and the defence counsel argued the bail application.

    Justice Owoeye after taking arguments from both lawyers  adjourned the matter till Monday for ruling on the bail application.

    When the matter was called on yesterday for ruling, the defendant’s counsel Arome Mathew announced his appearance and told the court that the matter was for ruling on the pending application.

    He said, “ We have argued the bail application dated February 25 and filed February 26,2025”.

    Fanen Anum also announced his appearance for the prosecution.

    Justice Owoeye in his ruling granted the defendant bail in that sum of N100m, with two sureties in like sum.

    The judge held “ One of the sureties must be an owner of a landed property, the other surety must be a business owner with verifiable address.

    “Both sureties shall show affidavit of means,”

    Justice Owoeye also ordered that the property title as well as the Bank Verification Number shall be deposited before the court.

    “The defendant shall not travel out of the country, pending the hearing and determination of the charges.

    “The defendant shall continue to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the the fulfillment of his bail conditions,” the judge held.

    The case was adjourned till April 14, for the commencement of trial.

  • EFCC confirms raid on Minna hotel, denies bandit involvement 

    EFCC confirms raid on Minna hotel, denies bandit involvement 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified that its operatives, not bandits, were responsible for the raid at Whitehill Hotel in Minna on Thursday. 

    In a statement on its official website, the anti-corruption agency explained that operatives from its Kaduna zonal directorate carried out the operation based on credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of 11 suspected internet fraudsters.

    “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Directorate, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters.

    Read Also: Lagos proprietor accuses EFCC of forceful takeover of school, assault on teachers, students

    “They were arrested in broad daylight at White Hotel, Chanchanga Local Government Area in Niger state following credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet activities.”

    The Commission stated that its operatives carried out the arrest professionally while wondering where the sources claiming abduction came from.

    Two vehicles and 13 phones of different brands were recovered from the arrested persons.

    “The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations”, the Commission stated.

  • Court overturns fraud conviction against businessman, orders EFCC to apologise 

    Court overturns fraud conviction against businessman, orders EFCC to apologise 

    A Federal High Court in Warri has set aside its earlier judgment on a case of financial fraud filed against a BDC operator, Julius Oluwafunmisho Okedele, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The court ruled that the addition of Okedele’s name in an alleged fraud and cybercrime case marked FHC/WR/110C/2019, without due notice to him, constituted a breach of his fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

    Striking out his name from the lawsuit, the court ordered the EFCC to tender a public apology to Okedele for including it in the first instance.

    The commission on December 2, 2019, charged Akegor Godbless Omamuyovwi at the Warri Division of the Federal High Court, accusing him of alleged cybercrimes and internet fraud. 

    Two other defendants in the suit including Okedele were tried in absentia by the EFCC who told the court they were at large.

    Unknown to the court, Okedele was never informed by the EFCC that he was a defendant in the suit before the court.

    Facts of the case indicated that Okedele had foreign exchange transactions with Akegor between 2018 and 2019 as part of his business activities.

    Read Also: EFCC arraigns ex-Abia governor, son, three others for alleged N60.85bn fraud

    Following the arraignment of the suspects in absentia, the EFCC’s Edo State office in Benin extended an invitation to Okedele on December 5, 2019, which he honoured and provided useful information regarding his business dealings to the investigation team.

    After his second visit on December 10, 2019, the EFCC concluded that there was no case and released him from further inquiry.

    But the commission never requested the court to strike out his name from the criminal proceeding in which he was arraigned in absentia and listed as a fugitive on the charge sheet.

    The case proceeded without his knowledge until the court delivered judgment which the EFCC published through their website and other media outlets.

    Having been brought to disrepute and after suffering reputational damage as a result of the published information, Okedele approached the same court with evidence that showed he was neither a fraudster nor a fugitive.

    He told the court that he was never in the know a proceeding against him was initiated by the EFCC, adding that the negative publicity caused him  significant personal and professional consequences and losses.

    Okedele said he was denied entry visas by the Canadian and United States embassies in Nigeria, as he was mistakenly labelled a fraudster and fugitive.

    In a remarkable development, the Federal High Court on January 31, 2025, in suit FHC/WR/CS/104/2024, ruled in favour of Okedele, setting aside its earlier judgment against him.

    The court struck out Okedele’s name from the charge and ordered the EFCC to issue a public apology in a widely circulated national newspaper, retracting the criminal accusations made against him within 10 days.

    It also ordered that the EFCC must provide proof of the publication to the court.

  • EFCC arraigns ex-Abia governor, son, three others for alleged N60.85bn fraud

    EFCC arraigns ex-Abia governor, son, three others for alleged N60.85bn fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission yesterday arraigned a former Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji and four others before Justice Lilian Abai of the Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia on a 16- count charge of money laundering.

    The ex-governor will face trial with his son, Chinedum Orji and others for alleged N60.85billion.

    Chinedum Orji was the 7th Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly.

    Others on trial are Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu.

    The suspects were accused of stealing N22.5 billion security votes; N12 billion Paris Club refund; N13 billion loan facility from the defunct Diamond Bank; another N10.5 billion loan from First Bank; N2 billion for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) funds; and N850 million allocated to ecological projects.

    The said funds were allegedly stolen from the state coffers between 2011 and 2015.

    All the suspects were granted bail.

    The charges are as follows:

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma  and Romanus K. Madu, sometime in 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired among yourselves to commit unlawful acts to wit, stealing and conversion of the sum of N2billion being the proceeds of the Central Bank of Nigeria Funds for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) allocated to Abia State and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Section 516 and 516(A) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court stole and converted the sum of N2billion being the proceeds ‘of the Central Bank of Nigeria Funds for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) allocated to Abia State and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Section 390 (5) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma  and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed unlawful acts of official corruption and abuse of the office to the tune of N2billion being the proceeds of the Central Bank of Nigeria Funds for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) allocated to Abia State and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Sections 98 and 104of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2013 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired among yourselves to commit unlawful acts to wit stealing and conversion of N850million being the funds allocated to Abia State for ecological projects and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Section 516 and 516(A) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2013 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed unlawful acts of stealing and conversion of N850million being the funds allocated to Abia State for ecological projects and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Section 390 (5) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2014-2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed unlawful acts of official corruption and abuse of the office to the tune N850 million being the funds allocated to Abia State for ecological projects and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Sections 98 and 104of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma  and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2011 and 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired among yourselves to commit unlawful act to wit, stealing and conversion to the tune of N22.5billion being the funds allocated to the Abia State Government as security votes and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Sections 516 and 516(A) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

     “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2011 and 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court stole and converted N22.5 billion being the funds allocated to the Abia State government as security votes and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Section 390 (5) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma  and Romanus K. Madu  sometime in 2011 and 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired among yourselves to commit unlawful act to wit, stealing and conversion to the tune of N12 billion being the funds due to the Abia State Government from Paris Club Refund and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of Sections 516 and 516(A) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu, sometime between 2010 and 2011 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court stole and converted a sum of N12billion being the funds due to Abia State from the Paris Club Refund and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provisions of Section 390 (5) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed unlawful acts to wit, stealing and conversion of the sum of N13billion being the proceeds of the loan facility granted by the then Diamond Bank Plc to the Abia State Government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 390 (5) of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma  and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed unlawful acts of official corruption and abuse of the office to the tune of N13billion being the proceeds of the loan facility granted by the then Diamond Bank Pic to the Aba State Government; and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provisions of Sections 98 and 104 of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma  and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2012 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed unlawful acts to wit, stealing and conversion of the sum of N10.5 billion proceeds of the loan facility granted by First Bank Plc for the benefits of the Abia State Government and the Abia State Local Government Councils and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provisions of Sections 98 and 104 of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    Read Also: BREAKING: EFCC arraigns ex-governor Theodore Orji, son, two others for alleged N60.85bn fraud

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed unlawful acts of official corruption and abuse of the office to the tune of the sum of N10.5billion being the proceeds of the loan facility granted by First Bank Plc for the benefits of the Abia State Government and the Abia State Local Government Councils and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provisions of Sections 98 and 104 of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    “That you Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, Engr. Chinedum Orji, Dr. Phillip Nto, Onwumene King Obioma  and Romanus K. Madu sometime in 2015 in Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed unlawful acts of official corruption and abuse of the office to the tune of the sum of N10.5billion being the proceeds of the loan facility granted by First Bank Plc for the benefits of the Abia State Government and the Abia State Local Government Councils and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provisions of Sections 98 and 104 of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State.

    The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Orji was governor of Abia State from 2007 to 2015 and senator representing Abia Central from 2015 to 2023.

    During the proceedings, the defence counsel, Bode Olanipekun, representing the former governor; Chikaosulu Ojukwu, representing the second defendant; K.I. Oleh, Okey Amechi, and Isaac Anya moved the bail applications of their clients.

    Kemi Pinheiro, counsel to the EFCC, did not object to the defendants’ bail applications.

    Lilian Abai, the trial judge, granted the bail applications and adjourned the case to June 18 and 19, 2025 for trial.

    In January, a federal high court in Abuja granted the interim forfeiture of N228.4 million linked to Orji over alleged money laundering.