The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought nine-count money laundering charges against the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano.
The charges allege that, while in office between March 2014 and March 2022, Obiano indirectly transferred substantial sums from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account into accounts unrelated to the state’s security affairs.
During his arraignment before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Obiano pleaded not guilty. Subsequently, he was permitted to go home on administrative bail, subject to conditions.
These conditions include surrendering his international passport, refraining from international travel without court permission, and providing details of his sureties to the EFCC.
The legal proceedings are set to commence on March 4, following an adjournment. Obiano’s initial arrest occurred at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos on March 17, 2022, just hours after leaving office as governor.
The charges specify instances where funds were allegedly transferred to entities unrelated to the state government, constituting offenses under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
Some of the charges against him, read, “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between 7th February, 2018 to 18th February, 2019 in Abuja;
“…within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N156,800.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Pic into the Fidelity Bank Ple Account No: 6060018819 belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government);
“…which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated/unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
“That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 — March 2022, sometime between 9th August, 2017 to 4th March, 2020 in Abuja;
“…within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N261,268,585.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc into the Fidelity Bank Plc Account No: 5600062873 belonging to Easy Diamond Integrated Link (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government);
“…which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated/unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”