The former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, is allegedly avoiding court procedure in an alleged money laundering case, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC’s attorney, Sylvanus Tahir, told the court during Thursday’s hearings about the difficulties in serving Obiano with court documents pertaining to his allegations.
The EFCC charged Obiano on January 24 on nine counts related to purported N4 billion money laundering.
According to the charges, from 2014 and 2022, Obiano was the governor of Anambra State, and during that time he allegedly stole security votes worth N4,008,573,350.
Tahir reported that there had been no progress in serving Obiano’s response to his application contesting the court’s jurisdiction. They made an effort to serve Obiano with the documents, even going so far as to visit his attorney’s office, but they were unsuccessful.
Patrick Ikweto (SAN), speaking on behalf of Obiano, said that he had received the counter-affidavit in the courtroom. However, he also brought up an appeal that the Anambra State Government had filed contesting the EFCC’s jurisdiction to look into the disputed money.
Obiano’s attorney, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), contended in the March 3 move on notice that the court lacked authority to consider matters pertaining to security vote monies.
He emphasized a petition made by the government of Anambra State contesting the EFCC’s jurisdiction to look into the matter.
Ikpeazu urged the court to provide the requested reliefs, arguing that there was no proof linking Obiano to any illegal activity.
The Federal High Court of Abuja’s Justice, Inyang Ekwo, postponed the case to March 13 in order to hear Obiano’s motion contesting the court’s jurisdiction.
