Former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the N4 billion money laundering trial of former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano.
The adjournment was upheld by Justice Mohammed Umar on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s legal team, led by S.O. Obila request.
The case, previous handled by Justice Inyamg Ekwo, currently on a one-year suspension imposed by the National Judicial Council for misconduct is now been handled by Justice Umar for the first time.
Obila told the court that he had the instructions of the lead prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), to seek an indefinite adjournment to await Justice Ekwo’s return.
According to him, “ I have the instruction of the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), to apply that since we had called nine witnesses before the previous judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, we should wait for him to return and conclude the matter.”
The defence, led by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), did not oppose the request.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the case sine die.
Obiano was arraigned on January 24, 2024, by the EFCC, which accused him of laundering N4bn in security votes allocated to Anambra State during his tenure as governor.
Prior to his arraignment, the EFCC had placed him on a watchlist shortly after he left office in 2022, and he was subsequently arrested at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The trial has been stalled multiple times, particularly after Obiano challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
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