Witness denies knowledge of N860m transactions in Obiano’s corruption trial

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Willie Obiano, former Anambra State Governor, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he was unaware of an N860 million transaction linked to his company’s account by the Anambra State government.

The witness, Udochukwu Okparache, who testified as the tenth prosecution witness (PW10), made this revelation before  Inyang Ekwo (Justice) on Wednesday.

Okparache, a general contractor and owner of Youdooh Ventures Limited said he was shocked when he was informed of the transactions during an interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to a statement signed by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity for the EFCC, Okparache disclosed that upon questioning his bank account officer about the inflows, he was told that the transactions were made to boost his account status to meet international travel requirements.

“Sometime in April 2023, I was invited by the EFCC to clarify certain transactions in my company’s account. When they showed me the records, I couldn’t understand them. I immediately contacted my account officer, who explained that he was merely boosting my account,” Okparache said while being led in evidence by EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Sylvanus Tahir.

He explained that the transactions in his account were carried out via manager’s cheques, with inflows totalling about N860 million.

He further revealed that several entities, including Cherish Ventures Limited, Easy Demands Limited, and Eberechi Willie Obiano, the wife of the former governor, benefited from the funds.

“I never bid for any contract with the Anambra State government,” he added. Reviewing bank statements admitted as evidence, Okparache confirmed multiple transfers, including N18 million and N9 million on April 5, 2018, and another payment on April 11, 2018.

He also stated that N7 million was transferred to Chief Mrs. Willie Obiano. During cross-examination by defence counsel Onyechi Ikpeazu, the witness admitted that he did not raise an alarm over the transactions because he believed the deposits were to boost his account.

He also denied any personal connection to Obiano, stating he did not know if the former governor authorized the payments. Following the testimony, Ekwo adjourned the case to May 26, 27, and 28, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.

Obiano is facing a nine-count charge of money laundering, fund diversion, and corruption amounting to N4 billion.