Thursday, August 20, 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.

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