Former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has been granted bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja following his arraignment on nine counts of alleged money laundering, amounting to approximately N4 billion. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the charges against Obiano, accusing him of fraudulent activities during his tenure as governor from March 2014 to March 2022.
Appearing before Judge Inyang Ekwo at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, Obiano pleaded not guilty to the charges. The EFCC, represented by counsel Sylvanus Tahir, sought the ex-governor's detention in the anti-graft agency's custody, but Judge Ekwo granted bail to Obiano.
The case is set to commence trial on March 4, as the former governor faces accusations of money laundering, corruption, and theft. The charges detail alleged fund transfers, including one where Obiano is accused of indirectly transferring N156,800.00 from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account to an account belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited. Another charge alleges the indirect transfer of N261,268,585.00 to Easy Diamond Integrated Link, a company purportedly unrelated to the state government.
Despite the gravity of the charges, Obiano maintains his innocence, pleading not guilty during the court proceedings. As the legal battle unfolds, the case sheds light on the complexities surrounding alleged financial misconduct during the former governor's office. Stay tuned for updates as the trial unfolds, revealing further insights into the allegations and the legal defense put forth by Willie Obiano.
