In a significant legal development, the Abuja Federal High Court has granted bail to the former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of alleged money laundering.
The EFCC had presented a nine-count charge against Obiano, accusing him of laundering the sum of N4 billion. Justice Inyang Ekwo presided over the proceedings and granted bail to Obiano after the former governor pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him.
During the arraignment, Sylvanus Tahir, the counsel representing the EFCC, requested the court to remand Obiano in custody pending the commencement of the trial. However, Onyinyechi Ikpeazu, Obiano’s counsel, countered this by urging the court to grant bail to his client.
In ruling on the applications, Justice Inyang Ekwo stated that Obiano should be granted bail based on the administrative terms set earlier by the EFCC. Additionally, the judge directed that the defendant’s international passport should be submitted to the court within the next 10 days.
The legal proceedings stem from a September 2021 call by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra for the EFCC to investigate the state’s finances, alleging “monumental deception.” Basil Ejidike, the chairman of Anambra APC, had accused Obiano of “fraudulently” utilizing the state’s security vote. The ongoing legal proceedings will shed light on the allegations, and Obiano’s bail sets the stage for the trial to proceed in the coming days.
