In the ongoing trial of former Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, lawyer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Sylvanus Tahir SAN, has informed Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja that Obiano has been evading service of court processes.
Obiano faces a 9-count criminal charge, including allegations of misappropriating N4 billion belonging to the Anambra state government. He was arraigned on January 24 and granted bail based on previous administrative bail granted by the EFCC.
The charges against Obiano include allegations of indirect transfers of funds from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account to unrelated entities, amounting to millions of naira. The EFCC accuses him of involvement in money laundering, theft, and corruption, as outlined in specific counts presented before the court.
During the recent court session, Tahir disclosed that attempts to serve Obiano’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, with a counter affidavit were thwarted as their gate was locked. Despite numerous efforts, the service of court processes remained unsuccessful until Tahir managed to serve the counter affidavit in the courtroom.
In response, Patrick Ekweto SAN, representing Ikpeazu, requested time to respond to the EFCC’s counter affidavit. Justice Ekwo granted the defendant two days to file and serve their processes on the EFCC, scheduling a hearing for March 13.
Additionally, Obiano filed a motion claiming that there is an ongoing appeal by the Anambra state government challenging the EFCC’s authority to investigate the funds in question. His lead counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, argued that the evidence presented lacks connection to the alleged accusations against Obiano, highlighting the absence of witness testimony implicating him in the directives for fund disbursement.
The trial continues to draw attention as legal proceedings unfold amidst allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption involving a former high-ranking government official.