The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, before the Federal High Court in Abuja to face charges of alleged fraud and embezzlement amounting to N4 billion.
The former governor arrived in a white bus escorted by EFCC officials.
Recall that hours after handing over as governor to his successor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, in 2022, Obiano was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport as he attempted to board a flight abroad.
He was thereafter placed on the watchlist of the anti-graft agency. He is accused of allegedly diverting public funds to his account.
Part of the charge reads, “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 — March 2022, sometime between 9th August, 2017 to 4th March, 2020 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, 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, 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.”
