By
Abiodun Sanusi
On Wednesday, January 24, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will charge Anambra State’s immediate past governor, Willie Obiano, with money laundering totaling N4,008,573,350, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
On Tuesday, our correspondent learned that the former governor will face nine counts of accusations.
The development comes more than a week after the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, promised to evaluate all abandoned high-profile cases, particularly those involving former Governors and Ministers.
According to a reliable source, Obiano transferred N4,008,573,350 from security votes to several accounts. The money was changed into dollars several times before being returned to Obiano in cash.”
The EFCC’s chief counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, will lead eight other lawyers in the trial of the former governor.
Some of the charges against Obiano include, “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, while 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 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, and you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, namely (Stealing and Corruption), and you thereby committed an offense pursuant to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012, punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
“That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, while serving as executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria from March 2014 to March 2022, sometime between August 9, 2017 and March 4, 2020 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred 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, and which you reasonably ought to have established that such money were part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, namely: (Stealing and Corruption), and you thereby committed an offence pursuant to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012, punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
When contacted by our correspondent on Tuesday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the situation while stating that Obiano will be arraigned on Wednesday.
“Yes, we’re arraigning Obiano tomorrow,” Oyewale said.
On March 17, 2022, the ex-governor was apprehended at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammad International Airport while ready to board an aircraft to Houston, Texas, USA.
The arrest occurred about 8.30 p.m., hours after he left office as governor, losing his immunity from arrest and prosecution.
He had been on the EFCC’s radar for some time before he was detained on corruption charges.
“Obiano was arrested for alleged misappropriation of public funds, including the N5 billion Sure-P and the N37 billion security vote, which were withdrawn in cash.” A portion of the cash were also reportedly diverted to fund political activities in the state,” the EFCC stated at the time.
Source:PunchNG