Daud Olatunji
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has concluded its investigations into the alleged money laundering activities of former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, and is set to arraign him before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Obiano, who is accused of misappropriating N4,008,573,350 belonging to the Anambra State government during his tenure, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on March 17, 2022, as he prepared to board a flight to Houston, USA.
It was further gathered that the arrest came after he had been on the EFCC’s watch list due to corruption allegations.
The charges filed at the Federal High Court reveal that Obiano will face nine-count charges, including illegal withdrawal of security vote and money laundering. Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, will lead a team of eight other lawyers in the trial.
The court documents detail instances where Obiano is accused of unlawfully transferring funds from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account into unrelated entities’ accounts.
The funds were allegedly converted into dollars and returned in cash.
Some of the charges include allegations of transferring sums through his then principal private secretary, Mr. Willie Nwokoye, into accounts belonging to entities with no business relationship with the Anambra State Government.
Obiano is accused of violating Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended in 2012, and faces punishment under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
The former governor is expected to appear before the Federal High Court as the EFCC seeks justice for the alleged financial misconduct during his term in office.
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