The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, the immediate-past Governor of Anambra State, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, January 24.
The charges stem from alleged money laundering activities amounting to N4,008,573,350.
The decision to arraign Obiano follows Ola Olukoyede EFCC Chairman’s ecent commitment to review abandoned high-profile cases, particularly those involving former Governors and Ministers. An inside source revealed that Obiano is facing nine counts related to the illicit transfer of funds.
Some of the charges against Obiano include allegations of indirectly transferring funds from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account into unrelated accounts. The EFCC contends that these funds, totaling N156,800.00 and N261,268,585.00 in separate instances, were used for purposes unrelated to the security affairs of Anambra State, constituting offenses under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
Slyvanus Tahir, EFCC’s lead counsel, will lead a team of eight lawyers in the trial. Obiano was first arrested at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on March 17, 2022, just hours after leaving office, losing his immunity. The arrest was based on allegations of misappropriation of public funds, including N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote, some of which was allegedly withdrawn in cash for political activities.
When contacted, Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s spokesperson, confirmed Obiano’s scheduled arraignment on Wednesday, emphasizing the anti-corruption agency’s commitment to addressing financial crimes.
Obiano had been on the EFCC’s watchlist prior to his arrest, with the agency citing the misappropriation of public funds as the primary reason.
The former governor allegedly diverted funds for various purposes, including financing political activities in Anambra State.
