Court Adjourns Obiano’s ₦4bn Fraud Trial Indefinitely

A Federal High Court in Abuja has put the fraud trial of ex-Anambra governor Willie Obiano on hold without a new date. Justice Mohammed Umar issued the indefinite adjournment after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission asked the court to pause proceedings until the original trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, returns to the bench.

Prosecuting counsel S.O. Obila told the court this was the first time the matter was appearing before Justice Umar and explained that nine witnesses had already testified before Justice Ekwo prior to his suspension. He said the lead prosecutor had directed that the case be returned to the chief judge so it could continue before the same judge who heard earlier evidence.

Obiano’s lawyer, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, did not oppose the request, noting that the prosecution had outlined the difficulties in recalling witnesses who had already testified.

Obiano, who led Anambra State from 2014 to 2022, was arraigned by the EFCC in January 2024 on a nine-count charge alleging the diversion of more than ₦4 billion from the state’s security vote account. The commission claims portions of the funds were moved to private companies and partly converted to foreign currency.

Justice Ekwo had earlier ruled in April 2024 that the court had jurisdiction to hear the case and that the EFCC had established a prima facie case. Among the nine witnesses who testified before the suspension of proceedings was a bureau-de-change operator who said he received roughly ₦416 million over an eight-month period from the state’s security vote funds.

With the latest adjournment, the case will remain on hold until further notice.