N4 billion fraud: Trial of former Anambra governor begins today at Abuja court
A federal high court sitting in Abuja has fixed today, Monday, for the commencement of the trial of Willie Obiano, former Governor of Anambra State, in the N4 billion security votes fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, had adjourned the trial to 24, 25, 26, and 27 of June after dismissing Obiano’s motion seeking to quash the EFCC charges.
On January 24, 2024, the anti-graft agency arraigned him in court over the alleged diversion of public funds, but he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Among other allegations, the former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano was said to have allegedly transferred over N1.2 billion from the state’s security vote to a company unrelated to government affairs, committing offenses under the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
Security votes are monthly allowances allocated to the 36 states and are to be used for securing the state.
Obiano was placed on the watchlist of the anti-graft agency over allegations of corruption, after the completion of his tenure in 2022.
Days later, he was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and subsequently arraigned.
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