Anambra Ex-Governor Willie Obiano pleads not guilty to money laundering charges

The immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has entered a plea of not guilty to nine charges of money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charges relate to an alleged sum of N4,008,573,350, which Obiano is accused of moving from security votes into different accounts.

The alleged offenses occurred between March 2014 and March 2022, covering the period of Obiano’s tenure as the executive governor of Anambra State.

During his arraignment on Wednesday, January 24, the former governor denied all nine counts presented to him.

Among the charges, it is stated that Obiano, “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 into an account 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.”

Another charge alleges that between August 9, 2017, and March 4, 2020, Obiano, “indirectly transferred through Mr. Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N261,268,585.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote to another country belonging to Easy Diamond Integrated Link (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.”

The charges cite violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011, with the EFCC asserting that the funds were unlawfully used for activities such as stealing and corruption.

Obiano now faces legal proceedings as the case progresses through the judicial system.

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