Court suspends Obiano’s N4bn money-laundering trial indefinitely

The Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned the trial of former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, who faces allegations of laundering N4 billion belonging to the state.

The adjournment was granted on Tuesday following a request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission legal team, led by S.O. Obila.

Obila informed Justice Mohammed Umar that the lead prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, had instructed that the matter be adjourned sine die so that Justice Inyang Ekwo, who had presided over the case from the start, could conclude it rather than have proceedings begin anew before another judge.

“In the light of this, I have the instruction of the lead prosecuting counsel in this case, Mr Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), to apply to the Chief Judge that since we had called nine witnesses before the previous judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, we should wait for him to return and conclude the matter,” Obila said.

The defence, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Onyechi Ikpeazu, did not oppose the request.

After hearing both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the case indefinitely.

Obiano, arraigned on January 24, 2024, has pleaded not guilty to charges filed by the EFCC, which allege that he diverted public funds during his tenure.

Among the allegations, he is accused of transferring over N1.2 billion from the state’s security vote to a private company with no government affiliation, in breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. Security votes are funds allocated monthly to state governments strictly for security operations.

The EFCC’s investigation also covers allegations of stealing, corruption, abuse of office, and conspiracy.

Earlier in the trial, a Bureau De Change operator, Ayuba Tanko, testified that he received N416 million through proxy accounts linked to Sauki Bureau De Change and Zigaziga Trading and Company Ltd. during Obiano’s administration. Under cross-examination, Tanko denied ever dealing directly with the former governor.

Obiano’s legal team had previously filed a motion to quash the charges, arguing there was no evidence of wrongdoing and describing the case as an abuse of judicial process.

They insisted the former governor never authorised the disbursement of security vote funds or other state monies.

However, Justice Ekwo dismissed the application, ruling that the EFCC has the authority to investigate and prosecute financial offences and that the sufficiency of evidence cannot be determined at a preliminary stage.

The trial has been stalled multiple times, especially after Obiano challenged the court’s jurisdiction, a challenge that was ultimately struck out.

Obiano had been placed on the EFCC watchlist shortly after leaving office in 2022 and was arrested at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport days later.

The indefinite adjournment means the trial will remain on hold until Justice Ekwo is available to resume proceedings.