Trial of Former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano By EFCC Over Alleged ₦4 Billion Fraud Set for November 25 in Abuja

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja has slated November 25 for the continuation of trial involving former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, over a ₦4 billion money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This development came after the newly assigned judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, briefly appeared in court on Thursday but later rose after handling several cases and delivering three judgments.

Justice Umar recently took over the case from Justice Inyang Ekwo following an administrative reassignment by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho. The switch, announced in a statement dated May 18, led to the cancellation of the original trial date, which had been set for May 26. Justice Umar, who was previously sitting at the Enugu Division, did not preside on the reassigned date, resulting in the case being scheduled for mention on July 24 and now adjourned to November.

Mr Obiano, who held office as Anambra governor between March 2014 and March 2022, is facing a nine-count charge related to alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds. Specifically, the EFCC accuses him of mismanaging over ₦4 billion from the state treasury, funneling parts of the funds through several companies and Bureau De Change operators.

During the proceedings that began before the previous trial judge, Justice Ekwo, the EFCC presented several key witnesses, including bank officials and currency traders, who provided insight into how the funds were allegedly moved. On October 7, 2024, the third prosecution witness (PW-3), Ugochukwu Otubelu, a former bank employee turned businessman, testified about the operation of the Anambra State government’s security vote account under Obiano’s administration.

Otubelu disclosed that he worked at the bank from November 2008 until March 2023, and during his tenure, he regularly interfaced with top aides of the governor. He named the signatories to the account as the former principal secretary to the governor, Willy Nwokoye, and an accountant identified as Theophilus Nweze. According to Otubelu, transactions were frequently initiated on a daily and weekly basis, with funds from the account reportedly directed to six different companies. He asserted, however, that the actual account holders did not benefit personally from the funds.

EFCC’s fourth witness, Hayatu Hadejia, a businessman and Bureau De Change operator, added another layer to the investigation. Hadejia, who owns five BDC firms, said he was approached by the anti-graft agency regarding his companies' involvement with funds linked to the Anambra State government. He admitted to running several transactions during the period under investigation but did not provide specific amounts during his testimony.

A more detailed account came from the fifth prosecution witness, Ayuba Tanko, another currency trader who was called to the stand on November 13, 2024. Ayuba testified that between April and December of 2017, ₦416 million was deposited in tranches into the account of a company he operated by proxy. He confirmed that the total amount was converted to a dollar equivalent of $1,137,000 and handed over to the parties that made the deposits.

He identified the companies he used for these transactions as Sauki Bureau De Change and Zigaziga Trading and Company Limited. Ayuba made it clear that he had no direct dealings with the former governor and was only acting on instructions tied to financial transactions routed through the commercial bank in question.

During cross-examination by the defense counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Onyechi Ikpeazu, Ayuba reiterated that he had never met or directly interacted with Mr Obiano. He further stated that apart from the forex transaction he facilitated, he had no business relationship with the Anambra State government.

Additional testimony was also heard from three commercial bank employees, who shed light on the flow of funds and transaction patterns consistent with money laundering operations.

Despite the delays and multiple adjournments, the case continues to build momentum as the EFCC seeks to establish a clear trail of illicit financial movement tied to Obiano's administration. Legal analysts following the case believe that the testimonies provided so far highlight a complex network of intermediaries and shell companies possibly used to disguise the origins of public funds.

As the trial moves forward with a new judge at the helm, all eyes will be on the November 25 hearing, which may prove pivotal in determining whether the prosecution has enough evidence to secure a conviction in one of the most high-profile anti-corruption cases involving a former state executive in recent years.