Rita Odafe
The EFCC has initiated a money laundering case against Willie Obiano, the ex-governor of Anambra State, with two witnesses testifying before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Obiano served as the governor of Anambra State from March 2014 to March 2022 and is facing a nine-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency.
The EFCC alleged that Obiano embezzled over N4 billion from the state’s treasury, sourced from the Anambra State’s Security Vote Account and converted into dollars, which were then handed to him in cash.
During the court proceedings, Mr. Tochukwu Aloysius Nnadi, a banker, appeared as the first prosecution witness. Nnadi, a bank manager in Awka, Anambra State, shared insights about managing customer accounts related to the case.
The witness declined to disclose specific beneficiary names in court, citing confidentiality obligations. He confirmed that transactions from the accounts were conducted in line with banking procedures and mandates.
After Nnadi’s testimony, Mrs. Chinwe Patricia Egbunam, a trader, testified about funds passing through her company’s account linked to the former governor’s case.
Egbunam outlined how she requested her account officer to upgrade her account for travel purposes, leading to unintended involvement in transactions related to Anambra State funds. She clarified that she did not personally utilize the wired funds.
She attested to the security challenges during Obiano’s tenure as governor, mentioning the impact on daily life due to security threats and the efforts made by the government to collaborate with organizations and churches for peace in the state.
The trial proceedings will resume on Wednesday as Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned further hearings in the case.
