By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Legit.ng
Published on 2024-01-23 12:30:15
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reopened its case against the former governor of Anambra state, Willie Obiano, and has announced that it will arraign him on Wednesday, January 24, over an alleged N4 billion fraud case. This comes after the anti-graft agency confirmed that Obiano will appear before the Federal High Court, Abuja division to defend the charges that have been leveled against him.
The commission disclosed that Obiano will stand trial on nine-count charges of money laundering to the tune of N4 billion. The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development and stated that the former governor would be arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo. The charges against Obiano involve the alleged movement of N4,008,573,350 from security votes into different accounts and the conversion of the money into dollars at various times.
It is worth noting that the EFCC’s move to arraign Obiano is in line with the chairman, Ola Olukoyede’s vow to revisit all abandoned high-profile cases, especially those involving former governors and ministers.
Obiano’s legal team headed by EFCC’s lead counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, will comprise eight other lawyers in the trial of the former governor. EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that Obiano will be arraigned on Wednesday, January 24.
The embattled former governor was first arrested at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on March 17, 2022, a few hours after he left office following the expiration of his tenure. He was arrested based on allegations of misappropriation of public funds, including N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security votes, some of which were allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state.
It was reported that the former governor had denied rumors of joining the All Progressive Congress (APC) after remaining loyal to APGA. Additionally, EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has warned investigators against taking bribes and cautioned them against the quest for gratification.
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