A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the alleged money laundering charge filed by the EFCC against former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano to November 13 for the continuation of the trial. The matter, which is before Justice Inyang Ekwo, could not proceed as the court did not sit; the judge was attending a seminar at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Ekwo had previously scheduled today for the trial’s continuation after the anti-graft agency’s lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, presented two witnesses in the case against the ex-governor.
One of the witnesses, Mr. Ugochukwu Otubelu, a former commercial bank staff, testified about managing the security vote account under Obiano’s administration. Otubelu, who worked with the bank from November 2, 2008, to March 24, 2023, stated that the signatories to the security vote account were the former Principal Secretary to the ex-governor, Willy Nwokoye, and the Accountant, Theophilus Nweze. He noted that he frequently interacted with them to process transactions.
Otubelu admitted that funds from the security vote account were deposited into six companies’ accounts but clarified that the money did not reach the account holders.
Another witness, Hayatu Hadejia, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, was also called by the EFCC. Hadejia, who operates several BDC companies, stated he was invited by the EFCC to assist in investigations into the financial activities of Obiano’s government.
After testifying and being cross-examined by Obiano’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, Justice Ekwo discharged Hadejia from the witness box and scheduled additional trial dates for October 7, 8, 9, and 10.
NAN reports that Obiano served as Anambra governor from March 2014 to March 2022. He faces a nine-count charge, including the alleged misappropriation of over N4 billion from the state’s treasury.