The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has provided details of how Willie Obiano, the former governor of Anambra, allegedly laundered about N4bn from the state’s security votes account using state officials.
The EFCC stated it was about to complete its investigation of Obiano’s tenure from 2014 to 2022, excluding his disbursement of the state’s security votes.
Obiano is challenging the court’s jurisdiction to try the money laundering charge against him in a motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Obiano is accused of indirectly transferring funds from the Anambra State Government’s security vote account, which he used for non-security purposes.
The EFCC revealed that Obiano allegedly used some state government officials, including his Principal Private Secretary, Willie Nwokoye, one Otubetu Ugochukwu Chinedu and “one Uzuegbuna Okoagbue, whom he appointed as his Chief Protocol Officer/Deputy Chief of Staff upon becoming Governor,” and other individuals to launder funds for him.
The EFCC also stated that Obiano transferred funds from the security vote account of Anambra State to accounts of some companies and enterprises that had no business transactions with the Anambra State Government.
The Commission argued that security votes could be investigated when misappropriated and that the court had the jurisdiction to try the case.
The case has been adjourned till April 18 for the ruling.
