Obiano pleads not guilty to N4bn money laundering allegations

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has pleaded not guilty to the 9-count charges of money laundering brought against him by the Federal Government.
In the charge sheet dated and filed January 15, by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), it claimed the money laundering is to the tune of N4,008,573,350 moved from security votes into different accounts.
Justice Ekwo granted the former governor bail on the condition that he will produce 2 sureties which must be directors in the civil service with landed property.
He should not travel out of the jurisdiction of the court, as the court registrar should inform the federal immigration service that his passport is with the Court.
The former governor pleaded not guilty to all the nine counts said to have been committed between March 2014 and March 2022.
Sequel to not guilty plea, counsel to Obiano, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, moved the motion for adjournment to enable them prepare for trial.
Responding, Counsel to EFCC, Tahil Sylvanus prayed the court to remind the ex gov in Kuje prison.
However, Justice Inyang Ekwo should continue enjoying administrative bail granted to him by the EFCC and adjourned the matter till March 4, for trial.
Some of the counts read, “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between 7th February, 2018 to 18th February, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N156,800.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account into an belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited (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.”