The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Monday shifted the alleged money laundering charge filed by the EFCC against former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano to November 13 for the continuation of the trial.

The matter before Justice Inyang Ekwo could not proceed because the court did not sit. The judge was said to be attending a seminar at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.

Mr Ekwo had, on June 26, fixed Monday for the continuation of trial after the anti-graft agency’s lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), led two witnesses in evidence in the trial of the ex-governor.

A former commercial bank staff member, Ugochukwu Otubelu, revealed how he managed the security vote account under Mr Obiano’s government.

Mr Otubelu, the third prosecution witness (PW-3), said though he was with the bank between November 2, 2008 and March 24, 2023, he is now a businessman.

He said the signatories to the security vote account were the former principal secretary to the ex-governor, Willy Nwokoye, and the accountant, Theophilus Nweze.

Mr Otubeu said he interfaced with them daily and weekly to process their transactions.

The PW-3 admitted that funds from the security votes account went into six companies’ accounts and said the money did not go to the account holders.

The EFCC, also called Hayatu Hadejia, a Bureau De Change operator as PW-4. Mr Hadejia told the court he is a businessman who runs BDC companies.

He said he had five companies and was invited by the EFCC as part of its investigations into the financial activities of the government of Mr Obiano.

After giving his testimony and being cross-examined by Mr Obiano’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Justice Ekwo discharged him from the witness box and fixed October 7, 8, 9 and 10 for continuation of trial.

Mr Obiano was Anambra governor between March 2014 and March 2022.

In a nine-count charge, EFCC accused Mr Obiano of misappropriating over N4 billion from Anambra State’s treasury, among other things.

(NAN)