The Ecoomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, places Anambra’s Governor Willie Obiano on watchlist, puts Immigration authorities on notice.

EFCC took this unprecedented step to prevent Governor Obiano from traveling overseas after handing over power to his successor on on 16 March 2020.

EFCC wrote to Immigration authorities to immediately place the Governor on a watchlist.

In the letter dated 15 November 2021, EFCC requested the Nigerian Immigration Service to alert the agency whenever the Governor shows up to travel overseas from any airport or border post.

However, Anambra State Government Spokesperson, Chief C. Don Adinuba, last night dismissed the effort as “an inelegant drama.”

He said the governor is already out of the country and did not disguise his exit.

The EFCC did not however indicate in the letter to Immigration authorities why Obiao has been plaed on a watchlist.

This has fueled speculations that EFCC may have opened discrete investigations into the Governor’s actions in office.

Sitting Governors enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution, and many have used the advantage to loot their states.

However, they usually end up battling with the EFCC once they hand over power and lose this immunity.

Gov. Obiano has travelled, says spokesperson

The State Government swiftly reacted to the news, calling it both “strange” and a “media trial.”

“Governor Obiano is out of the country currently, and he travelled through one of the country’s international airports,” Adinuba said.

“He did not disguise himself, but rather left country with his identity fully disclosed at the necessary immigration point.”

The spokesman accused the Governor’s political opponents of instigating the EFCC effort.

“The whole nation knows those behind all the present histrionics about Obiano. They are those who didn’t want the November 6 election to hold.

“They are those in high places who unsuccessfully canvassed for emergency rule in Anambra supposedly on security grounds.

“These people are still fighting the gubernatorial battle on behalf of their badly defeated friends and political associates in the Anambra vote. They will fail badly, as they have done in the recent past.”

EFCC places Obiano on watchlist

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