Former Anambra governor, Chief Willie Obiano, confronts EFCC in court today to defend charges of fraud amounting to over N4Billion.
The crime agency announced that Obiano appears before Justice Inyang of the Federal High Court in Abuja today. EFCC alleges that the former governor laundered over N4,008,573,350 while in office.
The agency had initially alleged that Obiano stole over N40Billion from the state treasury.
EFCC sources told the media that Obiano faces a nine-count charge of illicit transfer of funds. The sources alleged that the former governor indirectly transferred funds from the State Security Vote to various unrelated accounts.
The agency said in court papers that the former governor used the funds for purposes unrelated to security matters in Anambra.
The EFCC lead counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, leads a team of eight lawyers to prosecute Obiano over the allegation.
EFCC arrested Gov. Obiano on 17 March 2020 in Lagos as he attempted to leave the country hours after he handed over power to his successor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
Among other allegations, EFCC said Obiano misappropriated N5Billion from Sure-P programme and over N37Billion of the State Security Vote.
Officials withdrew the monies in cash for political activities, the agency alleged at that time.
The EFCC cat and mouse over Obiano
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, took the unprecedented step of placing the former Governor on watchlist to prevent him from traveling overseas after handing over power to his successor on 16 March 2022.
In a 15 November 2021 letter, EFCC requested Immigration authorities to alert the agency whenever the Governor showed up to travel overseas from any airport or border post.
State Government spokesperson at the time, Chief C. Don Adinuba, dismissed the effort as “an inelegant drama.”
However, the agency nabbed Obiano at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos the day after handing over to his successor.
The agency flew him to Abuja the following day for interrogation.
A leaked video showing Chief Obiano in custody wearing only red boxers and white T-shirt angered Anambra citizens.
Anambra monarchs described the EFCC action as “inhuman” and demanded that the agency “restore him to his personal comfort.” The rulers poured out their anger in a statement personally signed by their Chairman, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha.
One week later, EFCC finally freed the Governor on 23 March after he met his bail conditions.
Agency spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, however said the Agency impounded his travel documents to prevent him from escaping from Nigeria.
Several social media skits however showed Obiano at social gatherings overseas, long after the alleged seizure of his travel documents.
Obiano granted bail
Today in court, Governor Willie Obiano pleaded not guilty to the charges of misappropriating N4Billion.
EFCC told the judge that it has convinced 14 witnesses to testify against the former governor in court.
However, efforts by the Agency to get Obiano remanded in its custody failed as Justice Ekwo granted him bail with conditions.
He is to produce two sureties who must be directors in the federal civil service with landed property in Abuja.
The judge also ordered the former Governor to remain within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and to surrender his travel documents to the court.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the case for trial for four days, 4th to 7th March 2024.
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