The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled today, Monday, for the commencement of the trial of Willie Obiano, the former Governor of Anambra State. Obiano faces N4 billion security votes fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, had previously adjourned the trial to June 24, 25, 26, and 27 after dismissing Obiano’s motion to quash the EFCC charges.
On January 24, 2024, the anti-graft agency arraigned Obiano in court over the alleged diversion of public funds. The former governor pleaded not guilty to the charges. Among the allegations, Obiano is accused of transferring over N1.2 billion from the state’s security vote to a company unrelated to government affairs, a violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
Security votes are monthly allowances allocated to the 36 states and are intended for state security purposes.
According to the Abuja City Journal, EFCC’s lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), stated that the EFCC’s investigation extended beyond Security Votes Accounts to include other allegations of theft, corruption, abuse of office, and conspiracy.
Obiano, represented by his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), filed a motion seeking to dismiss the charges, arguing they amounted to a flagrant abuse of judicial process and a mockery of the criminal justice system. He contended that there was no evidence showing his client ordered the disbursement of security votes and other state funds.
Justice Ekwo ruled that the issue of proof of evidence does not apply when a criminal charge is initiated before a federal high court. The court upheld the EFCC’s authority to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, including those involving funds from Nigeria’s Federation Account.
Consequently, the judge dismissed Obiano’s application and set today for the trial to commence.
Following the completion of his tenure in 2022, Obiano was placed on the EFCC’s watchlist over corruption allegations. He was arrested days later at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and subsequently arraigned. The trial was delayed due to the governor’s motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
