The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, of evading the service of court process. This revelation was made by the EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, during Thursday’s court proceedings.
On January 24, Obiano was arraigned by the EFCC on nine charges related to alleged money laundering amounting to N4 billion. The charges accuse him of diverting Anambra State’s security votes totaling N4,008,573,350 during his tenure as governor from 2014 to 2022.
Tahir informed the court that efforts to serve Obiano’s reply to his motion had been unsuccessful. Despite complying with the court’s order, the prosecution’s attempts to serve the defendant’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), were thwarted as the office was locked, and the lawyers were reportedly attending a Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
Consequently, Tahir was only able to serve the counter affidavit to the defendant inside the courtroom on Thursday. He urged the court to proceed with hearing Obiano’s motion challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction alongside the counter affidavit.
However, Patrick Ikweto (SAN), representing Obiano, requested an adjournment to respond to the EFCC’s counter affidavit. Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter till March 13 for the hearing of Obiano’s motion.
In a motion filed by Obiano’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), dated March 3, it was stated that the Anambra State Government had appealed against the EFCC’s authority to investigate the funds. Ikpeazu argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain issues regarding the accountability of security votes funds.
He contended that there was no evidence indicating that Obiano issued directives for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to the Anambra State Government. Ikpeazu emphasized that the charges against his client were based on speculation and suspicion, and he urged the court to grant the reliefs sought.
