The former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano has been arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja today.
The former Governor was arraigned on a nine- count charge bordering on money laundering, diversion of funds, stealing and corruption to the tune of N4billion.
According to parts of the charges, the EFCC is accusing Mr Obiano of fraudulently transferring N156,800.00 from the Anambra State Government Security Vote through his then principal private secretary, Willie Nwokoye “to a company belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited (A company with no links or business with the Government)
The anti-graft agency also stated that the offence is 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.
Prosecution counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, asked for a trial date while praying the court for the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre pending the date of the trial.
Counsel to the defendant, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, drew the attention of the court to a bail application before the court.
While ruling on the matter, Justice Inyang Ekwo asked the prosecution to provide the particulars of the administrative bail granted the defendant by the EFCC, stating that the court will adopt the terms of the bail and also ordered that the defendant’s passport and traveling documents be kept in the custody of the court and the Nigeria Immigration Service be notified.
Furthermore, Justice Ekwo ordered the defendant not to travel outside jurisdiction without the permission of the court.
The Trial has been set for the 4th, 5th,6th and 7th of March, 2024
