Obiano denies Nigerian govt’s N40bn fraud allegations, released from EFCC custody

The immediate-past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, on Wednesday, denied the N40bn corruption charges brought against him by the federal government.

He pleaded not guilty to all the 9 count charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC when read to him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Against all odds, the trial Judge, Inyang Edem Ekwo rejected the request by the EFCC to remand the former governor at Kuje Prison for his trial.

Instead, Justice Ekwo adopted the administrative bail granted Obiano by EFCC to permit him to go home from where he will present himself for trial at any adjourned date.

Justice Ekwo said there was no need or basis to impose other bail conditions on the former governor since he did not breach the one by the anti-graft agency.

The Judge subsequently fixed March 4, 5, 6 and 7 to resume trial.

The alleged money laundering is to the tune of N4,008,573,350.

He was said to have moved the amount from security votes into different accounts.

The offences were said to have been committed between March 2014 and March 2022.