Alleged N4bn Fraud: Ex-Gov, Obiano Pleads Not Responsible to 9-court Cost

Alleged N4bn Fraud: Ex-Gov, Obiano Pleads Not Responsible to 9-court Cost

The Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee ( EFCC) on Wednesday, docked the rapid previous Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on a nine-count cash laundering cost.

Obiano, who was arraigned earlier than trial Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja, pleaded not responsible after the cost was learn to him.

He was subsequently allowed to go house based mostly on the phrases of an administrative bail the anti-graft company earlier granted to him.

Phrases of the circumstances included the seizure of his worldwide passport, whilst he was warned to not journey outdoors the nation with out the permission of the court docket.

In addition to, the court docket directed the EFCC to ahead to it, particulars of people who stood as his surety.

The case has been adjourned until March 4 for the graduation of his trial.

It is going to be recalled that the previous governor was first arrested on the Murtala Muhammad Worldwide Airport, Lagos, on March 17, 2022, as he was making ready to board a flight to Houston, the USA of America.

The arrest befell a couple of hours after he left workplace as governor.

A number of the costs in opposition to him, learn, “That you just, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, while being the manager governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, someday between seventh February, 2018 to 18th February, 2019 in Abuja;

“…inside the jurisdiction of this Honourable Courtroom, not directly transferred by way of Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal non-public secretary, the sum of N156,800.00 solely from the Anambra State Authorities Safety Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Constancy Financial institution Pic into the Constancy Financial institution Ple Account No: 6060018819 belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Restricted (an entity that had no enterprise relationship with the Anambra State Authorities);

“…which funds had been dissipated for functions unrelated/unconnected with the safety affairs of Anambra State, which you fairly must have recognized that such funds shaped a part of the proceeds of your illegal act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and also you thereby dedicated an offence opposite to Part 15 (2) (b) of the Cash Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable below Part 15 (3) of the identical Act.

“That you just, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, while being the manager governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 — March 2022, someday between ninth August, 2017 to 4th March, 2020 in Abuja;

“…inside the jurisdiction of this Honourable Courtroom, not directly transferred by way of Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal non-public secretary, the sum of N261,268,585.00 solely from the Anambra State Authorities Safety Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Constancy Financial institution Plc into the Constancy Financial institution Plc Account No: 5600062873 belonging to Simple Diamond Built-in Hyperlink (an entity that had no enterprise relationship with the Anambra State Authorities);

“…which funds had been dissipated for functions unrelated/unconnected with the safety affairs of Anambra State, which you fairly must have recognized that such funds shaped a part of the proceeds of your illegal act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and also you thereby dedicated an offence opposite to Part 15 (2) (b) of the Cash Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable below Part 15 (3) of the identical Act.”