The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) commenced its case against former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, in a money-laundering suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
The EFCC presented two witnesses in the trial. The first witness, Tochukwu Nnadi, a bank manager, testified that he was involved in managing the state's financial activities and accounts, including the security vote account. Nnadi explained that the account was funded by the state's Internally Generated Revenue and was used for various payments to entities and organizations. He submitted documents to the EFCC but declined to disclose beneficiary names in open court.
The second witness, Chinwe Egbunam, a businesswoman from Onitsha, stated that she was summoned by the EFCC regarding N156.8 million that had passed through her company’s account. She claimed ignorance of the funds and said her account was upgraded by her account officer to meet travel requirements. Egbunam also described the security situation in Anambra during Obiano's tenure as tense, with efforts by the government to maintain peace amid threats from ESN and IPOB.
The defense reserved objections to the exhibits presented, and Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the hearing to June 25.
Obiano, who served as governor from March 2014 to March 2022, faces a nine-count charge from the EFCC, accused of embezzling N4 billion from the state treasury.
