Former Anambra Governor Obiano Faces Arraignment by Anti-Graft Agency EFCC for N4 Billion Fraud Charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has completed its investigation and is poised to arraign former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Obiano faces charges of money laundering amounting to N4,008,573,350, allegedly misappropriated during his tenure.

Former Governor Obiano, who was arrested on March 17, 2022, at Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, while attempting to board a flight to the United States, has been under the EFCC’s scrutiny for some time. The arrest was related to allegations of misappropriation of public funds, including N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote, with some funds purportedly diverted to support political activities in the state.

According to a charge filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Obiano will be prosecuted on nine counts, including illegal withdrawal of security vote and money laundering. The EFCC alleges that he unlawfully transferred N4,008,573,350 from security votes into various accounts, converting it into dollars and subsequently receiving it in cash.

Leading the legal team in the trial will be Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, along with eight other lawyers. The charges specify instances where Obiano allegedly transferred funds indirectly through his then principal private secretary, Willie Nwokoye, into accounts of entities with no business relationship with the Anambra State Government.

Obiano is accused of violating the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, and if found guilty, he could face penalties stipulated under Section 15 of the same Act.