The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo has granted bail to Willie Obiano, the former governor of Anambra State.
Willie Obiano was facing a nine-count charge which was centered on laundering the state’s finances.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Obiano with nine-count charge which bothers around an alleged inclusion of money laundering of over N4 billion naira.
However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the case. Read some statement released:
“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 into an 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.
In the court’s judgment, Obiano is restricted from travel since his documents are in the care of the court as required by the judge.
Also, the court has taken all the necessary requirements including notifying Immigration Service not to permit Obiano’s travel deeds if he intends to.
