Monday, October 19, 2026

Court adjourns trial of ex-Anambra governor, Obiano

The EFCC on January 24 arraigned Mr Obiano on a nine-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N4 billion.

• March 7, 2024
Former Anambra governor Willie Obiano
Former Anambra governor Willie Obiano

A federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned the trial of the immediate ex Anambra governor, Willie Obiano, until Wednesday March 13.  

Mr Obiano is standing trial for a nine-count of multiple fraud allegations.

Mr Obiano had appeared before Justice Inyang Ekwo, of the Federal High Court Abuja, for the resumption of hearing on his motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the alleged N4 billion fraud filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The former governor was arraigned on January 24 by the EFCC on a nine-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N4,008,573,350 allegedly diverted from the state’s account dedicated to security funds in his last five years in office.

During the resumption of hearing, the counsel to Mr Obiano, Patrick Ikwueto, pleaded with the court for adjournment explaining that he was only able to read the counter affidavit and not be able to read through the written address as he needs to have an informed position to give his response.

Following the plea by the counsel to Mr Obiano, the trial Judge Justice Inyang Ekwo, adjourned the case until March 13, for hearing of the motion. Counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanne Tahir, also accepted.

Meanwhile, Mr Ikwueto also complained about the media misinterpreting their applications and reporting that Mr Obiano had challenged that the division of the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to try him over offences that were allegedly committed in Anambra State and wondered where the media got such reports.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Rice farm

Agriculture

Bauchi farmers lament losses as suspected rice blast cuts yields

The farmers said the situation had exposed them to losses and made the trade less attractive.

Herders

Agriculture

Ibadan: Herdsman arraigned for damaging farmer’s crops

A herdsman, Usman Abubakar, was arraigned before the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Monday for destroying crops.

GBV

Rights

Low prosecution rates hinder justice for GBV survivors: Lawyer

A legal practitioner, Adaku Mbama, says structural, procedural and enforcement challenges hinder the prosecution and conviction of perpetrators of gender-based violence in Nigeria.

Army chief in Rwanda

Africa

Army chief Shaibu visits Rwanda’s genocide memorial, urges national unity

Army chief Waidi Shaibu has called for national unity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence after visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda.

Senator Elissa Slotkin

World

Why I promised to weaponise government against young Americans who work in Trump admin: Senator Slotkin

Ms Slotkin has faced intense criticism for threatening prosecutions of Mr Trump’s current staff to deter young American graduates from working for the administration.

17th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17)

World

COP17: UN biodiversity conference opens in Yerevan

The 17th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) opens in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, on Monday.