The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought the former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, to the Federal High Court in Abuja to face charges of fraud and embezzlement totaling N4 billion.
Obiano, who arrived at the court in a white bus accompanied by EFCC officials, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport while trying to leave the country shortly after handing over to his successor in 2022.
Following his arrest, he was placed on the watchlist of the anti-graft agency.
The allegations against him involve the diversion of public funds into his personal 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.”
