Anambra Ex-Governor Obiano in Court as N4bn Money Laundering Trial Begins
- The federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday, January 23, arraigned former governor of Anambra state, Willie Obiano
- The embattled governor appeared before Justice Ekwo Inyang to adjudicate over his alleged N4 billion case
- At the end of the trial's first session, the 68-year-old was granted bail after pleading not guilty to the charges against him
Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro
FCT, Abuja - Former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has appeared at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court accompanied by officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He is set to face charges of money laundering amounting to N4,008,573,350.
Source: UGC
Obiano, dressed in a dark blue suit complemented by a black cap, was accompanied to the courtroom by over ten agents from the anti-corruption agency.
Around 8 am, he arrived at the court premises in a Toyota Bus with the registration number ABC 573 KQ, seating 18 individuals.
The vehicle was stationary briefly before Obiano was escorted into the courtroom.
He was surrounded by four EFCC operatives blocking his supporters from reaching him.
The legal team to defend him remains unknown, but over 50 lawyers have gathered in the courtroom.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, assigned to handle his case on the nine-count charge of alleged N4 billion fraud brought by the Federal Government through the EFCC, is yet to arrive, while court officials are on standby.
Obiano's ordeal with EFCC
Recall Legit.ng reported that on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, Obiano was arrested by officials of the EFCC hours after handing over to his successor, Prof. Charles Soludo.
Obiano had been on the Commission’s watchlist for months before he tried to escape to the United States.
The EFCC confirmed this, stating that they had to wait till after the inauguration because Obiano had immunity as a sitting governor.
The EFCC was quoted to have said when asked why Obiano was arrested:
“Obiano has been on our watchlist for sometime now. He had immunity as a governor and that is why we could not arrest him before now.
“Today he lost the immunity and was traveling out of the country before we finally arrested him."
Court grants ex-Anambra governor bail, adjourns till March 4
Meanwhile, the ex-Anambra governor, whose trial kicked off on Tuesday, January 24, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has been released on bail.
Obiano, apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2023, is accused of money laundering
It was gathered that he had allegedly diverted public funds of over N4 billion during his term as governor
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Source: Legit.ng
