The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun its money laundering case against Willie Obiano, the former Governor of Anambra State. Two witnesses testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Obiano, who served as governor from March 2014 to March 2022, faces a nine-count charge of looting over N4 billion from the state treasury. The EFCC alleges that these funds were siphoned from Anambra State’s Security Vote Account, converted into dollars, and handed to Obiano in cash.
During the proceedings, the EFCC presented Mr. Tochukwu Aloysius Nnadi, a bank manager in Awka, as the first prosecution witness (PW-1). Nnadi testified about his role in managing customer accounts and cooperating with security and anti-graft agencies. He stated, “In April 2022, I was informed by our compliance unit that I was needed at EFCC in respect of activities of the past administration of Anambra State.”
Nnadi explained that the state government’s security votes account was funded primarily by internally generated revenue. Payments were made weekly, and transactions were based on the advice of account operators. Nnadi provided the EFCC with documents containing the names of all beneficiaries, but he declined to mention names in open court due to his “oath of secrecy.”
He also provided certified true copies of account statements, cover letters, and other documents to the EFCC. The court admitted a bundle of 794 pages of documents as Exhibit PW-1 (A1-A794).
The second witness, Mrs. Chinwe Patricia Egbunam, a businesswoman from Onitsha, testified about her account’s involvement. She revealed that she had asked her account officer to upgrade her account to meet embassy requirements for travel to Turkey. She was later informed by the EFCC that N156.8 million had passed through her account from the Anambra State Government.
Under cross-examination, Egbunam clarified that the funds did not belong to her and were only meant to upgrade her account. She also mentioned that she had no direct dealings with Obiano. When asked about the security situation in Anambra during Obiano’s tenure, she said, “During the tenure of the defendant, there was serious insecurity in Anambra State, and I know that the government worked with organizations and churches to maintain peace.”
Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case for further hearing later today.
Source: The Guardian
