FORMER GOV. OBIANO’S N4 BILLION MONEY LAUNDERING TRIAL RESCHEDULED TO NOVEMBER 25

The legal spotlight is now firmly on Willie Obiano, the immediate past governor of Anambra State, as the Federal High Court in Abuj has set November 25 as the date for his trial on a staggering N4 billion money laundering charge.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) paints a stark picture: they allege these vast sums were siphoned off through companies that had no genuine ties to the Anambra State government.

The narrative suggests these funds were then allegedly converted into US dollars and delivered directly to the former governor.

Despite the gravity of the accusations, Obiano has entered a plea of not guilty and has been granted bail by the court, allowing him freedom pending trial.

The EFCC has already begun building its case. On October 7, 2024, they presented witnesses, including a crucial testimony from Ugochukwu Otubelu, a former commercial bank staffer.

As the third prosecution witness, Otubelu offered a revealing look into the management of the security vote account during Obiano’s time in office.

He identified Willy Nwokoye, the former principal secretary, and Theophilus Nweze, the accountant, as the key individuals authorized to sign on this account, confirming his consistent interactions with them for transactions.

Most notably, Otubelu testified that while money from the security vote account indeed flowed into six different company accounts, the funds never actually reached the legitimate account holders of those companies, raising significant questions about the ultimate destination of the money…