The immediate former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, was released on bail, after being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, over the allegation of money laundering.
The EFCC on Wednesday, arraigned Obiano before a federal high court sitting in Abuja, for allegedly laundering N4b, while he was a governor of Anambra state.
Obiano who appeared before Inyang Ekwo, judge of the high court, pleaded not guilty to the nine-count charge preferred against him by the anti-graft agency.
Upon his arraignment, Sylvanus Tahir, a counsel to the anti-graft agency, prayed the court to remand the defendant in custody pending the commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, the counsel of Obiano, Onyinyechi Ikpeazu, also asked the court to grant bail to his client.
However, Ekwo in his ruling on the applications, held that the defendant should enjoy bail on the administrative terms, granted earlier by the EFCC.
He further held that the defendant’s international passport should be transmitted to the court within 10 days, directing the court registrar to inform the immigration service about the passport when it is transferred.
However, the case was subsequently adjourned to March 4 for the commencement of trial.
The All Progressives Congress in Anambra had in September 2021, asked the anti-graft agency to probe the state’s finances to unearth “monumental deception”.
The APC chairman in the state, Basil Ejidike, alleged that Obiano was “fraudulently” using the state’s security vote.
