Abuja: The Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned the trial of former Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano, who is facing allegations of a 4 billion naira fraud. This development came after an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to adjourn the matter sine die.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. S.O. Obila, informed the court that this was the first hearing of the case before Justice Mohammed Umar. He also conveyed instructions from the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, to request an indefinite adjournment until the return of Justice Inyang Ekwo, who had previously presided over the case and heard testimonies from nine witnesses.
Counsel to Obiano, Mr. Onyeachi Ikpeazu, SAN, did not oppose the adjournment request, citing the prosecution’s difficulties in producing the nine witnesses who had already testified. Consequently, Justice Mohammed Umar granted the request to adjourn the matter indefinitely.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Obiano, who served as Anambra’s governor from March 2014 to March 2022, was arraigned by the EFCC on January 24, 2024, on charges of money laundering. The EFCC accused him of misappropriating over 4 billion naira from the state’s security vote account, diverting funds to private entities, and converting some into foreign currency.
In April 2024, Justice Ekwo had refused to dismiss the case, affirming the court’s jurisdiction and the establishment of a prima facie case against Obiano. The trial had seen nine witnesses testify, including a Bureau de Change operator who claimed he received approximately 416 million naira over eight months from the state’s security vote account. The suspension of Justice Ekwo by the National Judicial Council contributed to the case’s delay.