Alleged N4bn Fraud: Court grants ex-Anambra governor, Obiano, bail; seizes travel document

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on nine counts of alleged N4bn fraud during his time as governor of the South-East state from March 2014 to March 2022.

The 68-year-old was arraigned today (Wednesday) before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja.

Obiano pleaded not guilty to the money laundering charges levelled against him.

The prosecution said he has 14 witnesses lined up to testify against the former governor.

On his part, counsel for the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, asked that he be remanded in the custody of the anti-graft agency.

Obiano is currently on administrative bail granted him by the EFCC, which includes providing two sureties who are directors in civil service and own landed properties in Abuja.

Justice Ekwo adopted the administrative bail and added that Obiano remains within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and travel documents be submitted to the court going forward.

The court also stated that the immigration be alerted that all travel documents are with the court.

Shortly after he handed over power to Governor Chukwuma Soludo in March 2022, the EFCC arrested Obiano at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on his way out of the country to Houston, Texas, in the United States.

Recall that the EFCC had placed Obiano on a watchlist. The anti-graft agency later granted Obiano bail after five days in detention whilst the it continued the probe of the ex-governor.