“Why We Are Prosecuting Obiano Before A Federal High Court” – EFCC

By Ayodele Oni

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)has confirmed that the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, will be arraigned on Wednesday over alleged money laundering to the tune of N4 billion.

It was gathered that Obiano would be arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on nine count charges.

The former governor was accused by the EFCC of transferring N4,008,573,350 from Anambra State Government Security Vote Accounts into different private accounts.

Some of the charges against Obiano are: “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between 7th February, 2018 to 18th February, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N156,800.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Pic into the Fidelity Bank Ple Account No: 6060018819 belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated/unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

The development was confirmed on Tuesday by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, saying: “Yes, we’re arraigning Obiano tomorrow.”

Obiano was arrested at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos on his way to Houston, United States, on March 17, 2022 hours after handing over to Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

The EFCC said Obiano had been on its watch list for months but the immunity enjoyed by a sitting governor prevented his arrest.

The anti-graft agency had earlier requested the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to provide information on the former governor’s movement out of the country from airports, or other points of exit from the country.

He was later granted bail after five days in custody.