Legal Affairs
EFCC to Arraign Ex-Anambra Governor Obiano Over Alleged Money Laundering
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign the immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on Wednesday, January 24, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The charges are related to alleged money laundering amounting to N4,008,573,350.
The former governor faces nine counts, including accusations that he moved significant sums from security votes into different accounts.
The funds were allegedly changed into dollars and returned to Obiano in cash.
EFCC’s lead counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, will lead a team of eight lawyers in the trial.
Among the charges, Obiano is accused of indirectly transferring funds from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account into accounts belonging to entities unrelated to the state government’s security affairs.
The charges cite violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
Obiano was arrested on March 17, 2022, as he was preparing to board a flight to the United States.
The arrest came hours after he left office, losing his immunity from arrest and prosecution.
He had been on the EFCC’s watchlist for alleged misappropriation of public funds, including N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote, which was reportedly withdrawn in cash.
The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that Obiano would be arraigned on Wednesday.
The charges against the former governor highlight the anti-corruption efforts by Nigerian authorities, with a focus on high-profile cases involving former governors and ministers.
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Thunder Ofjustice
January 23, 2024 at 7:43 pm
In as much as we want likes of Obiano hanged after getting him to return all the money and items he stole from Anambra including all the vehicles and gadgets he displayed for security but was nowhere to be found, however, as long as the born, all round rogue, drug baron, who looted Lagos dry, disenfranchised Igbos from voting and rigged his way to presidency to become president is concerned, no pne should be in jail, or even accused of any crime in so-called ‘nigeria’.
You can be a criminal pretending to be fighting crime!