News
JUST IN: EFCC To Arraign Obiano Over Alleged ₦4bn Fraud Wednesday
Published
4 months agoon
By
EditorThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will arraign the immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on Wednesday, January 24, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged money laundering to the tune of N4,008,573,350.
It was gathered on Tuesday that the ex-governor will be arraigned on nine count charges.
The development comes over a week after the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede vowed to review all abandoned high-profile cases, especially those involving former Governors and Ministers.
An impeccable source revealed, “We found that Obiano moved N4,008,573,350 from security votes into different accounts. The money at various times was changed into dollars and returned to Obiano by cash.”
EFCC’s lead counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, will lead eight other lawyers in the trial of the former governor.
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Some of the charges against Obiano include, “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between 7th February, 2018 to 18th February, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N156,800.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Pic into the Fidelity Bank Ple Account No: 6060018819 belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
“That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 — March 2022, sometime between 9th August, 2017 to 4th March, 2020 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N261,268,585.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc into the Fidelity Bank Plc Account No: 5600062873 belonging to Easy Diamond Integrated Link (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
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Contacted on Tuesday, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale confirmed the development while noting that Obiano will be arraigned on Wednesday.
“Yes, we’re arraigning Obiano tomorrow,” Oyewale noted.
The ex-governor was first arrested at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on March 17, 2022, as he was preparing to board a flight to Houston, the United States of America.
The arrest took place at about 8.30 pm, hours after he left office as governor and, thus, lost his immunity from arrest and prosecution.
He had been on the EFCC’s watchlist for some time before he was eventually arrested over corruption allegations.
“Obiano was arrested for alleged misappropriation of public funds, including, N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash. Part of the funds was also allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state,” EFCC had noted at the time.
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News
Edo Govt Takes Custody Of 4-year-old Girl Used For Adult Content
Published
5 hours agoon
May 14, 2024By
EditorThe Edo State Government has rescued the 4-year-old girl who was used for adult content by her father.
Recall that the police arrested the father of the minor in Auchi on Sunday, May 12, 2024, after her semi nude videos and photos sparked public outrage on social media.
Some images also showed the minor in revealing clothes while in the company of her father and some men in a hotel.
READ ALSO: Edo: Man Arrested For Posting Obscene Photos Of 4-year-old Daughter Online
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Samuel Alli, confirmed the development in a post on the X platform on Monday, May 13.
“The child is now in our custody for proper medical examination and care. We will keep you updated on her welfare. Thank you all for your contributions to ensure our kids are safe and sound both in health and mind,” he wrote.
News
Aid Reveals What Peter Obi Discussed With Atiku, Saraki, Lamido During Visits
Published
8 hours agoon
May 13, 2024By
EditorThe reason behind the visit of 2023 presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi to top political figures such Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki and Sule Lamido has been revealed.
Obi’s spokesperson, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said the visit was in line with the former Anambra governor’s commitment to the peace and progress of the nation.
DAILY POST reported that Obi in Abuja on Monday visited some top political figures, including former Vice President, and PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido.
“At the center of discussion during each of these visits was the state of the nation and how to reduce the suffering of all Nigerians irrespective of class and location,” Tanko said in the statement.
“In particular, the desperate condition of the downtrodden in our midst was highlighted.
“Of particular interest and emphasis in these discussions was the worrisome situation in the Northern parts of the country.”
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Monday announced a plan by his administration to set up a panel to probe previous governments including the immediate past administration of Nyesom Wike.
Governor Fubara who has been in a face-off with Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, disclosed the plan after swearing in Dagogo Iboroma as the Attorney General of the state.
The governor expressed pessimism that the lingering political crisis currently rocking the state cannot be resolved anytime soon.
Apparently referring to Wike, the governor accused his opponents of deliberately sabotaging his administration while he was hopeful that the issue in the state would be resolved amicably.
Governor Fubara vowed to make tough decisions moving forward no matter how they would be perceived by the public.
Fubara also responded to recent comments by former Attorney General Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Works Alabo George-Kelly.
According to the governor, the former attorney general alongside other critics of his administration have been sabotaging the progress of his government by filing nolle prosequi against the interest of the state.
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