Reason376
Arraigned
Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano
Two-term Governor of Anambra State under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), March 2014 to March 2022. Arrested by the EFCC at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on 17 March 2022, hours after handing over to his successor Charles Soludo, as he attempted to board a flight to Houston, USA. Arraigned on 24 January 2024 before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a nine-count charge alleging money laundering and diversion of approximately N4.006 billion from the Anambra State Security Vote Account; pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on the administrative-bail conditions previously set by EFCC. Trial stalled: on 25 November 2025 the Federal High Court adjourned proceedings indefinitely at the EFCC's request after the case was reassigned away from Justice Ekwo, who had heard nine prosecution witnesses.
Sources
- SOURCE-01Premium Times (2022-03-17) — EFCC arrests Willie Obiano hours after handing over as Anambra governor
- Premium Times (2022-03-17) — EFCC arrests Willie Obiano hours after handing over as Anambra governorwww.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/517967-efcc-arrests-willie-obiano-hours-after-handing-over-as-anambra-governor.html
- SOURCE-02Premium Times (2022-03-24) — EFCC releases Willie Obiano on bail
- Premium Times (2022-03-24) — EFCC releases Willie Obiano on bailwww.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/519248-just-in-efcc-releases-willie-obiano-on-bail.html
- SOURCE-03Premium Times (2024-01-24) — EFCC charges ex-governor with stealing N4 billion from Anambra security vote
- Premium Times (2024-01-24) — EFCC charges ex-governor with stealing N4 billion from Anambra security votewww.premiumtimesng.com/news/661723-efcc-charges-ex-governor-with-stealing-n4-billion-from-anamnbra-security-vote.html
- SOURCE-04Channels TV (2024-01-24) — Alleged N4bn Fraud: Obiano Pleads Not Guilty, Granted Bail
- Channels TV (2024-01-24) — Alleged N4bn Fraud: Obiano Pleads Not Guilty, Granted Bailwww.channelstv.com/2024/01/24/just-in-efcc-set-to-arraign-ex-gov-obiano-over-alleged-n4bn-fraud/
- SOURCE-05THISDAY (2024-01-24) — Obiano Pleads not Guilty to N4bn Money Laundering Charge
- THISDAY (2024-01-24) — Obiano Pleads not Guilty to N4bn Money Laundering Chargewww.thisdaylive.com/2024/01/24/obiano-pleads-not-guilty-to-n4bn-money-laundering-charge/
- SOURCE-06TheCable (2024-01-24) — Obiano granted bail after arraignment for 'N4bn money laundering'
- TheCable (2024-01-24) — Obiano granted bail after arraignment for 'N4bn money laundering'www.thecable.ng/breaking-efcc-arraigns-obiano-over-n4bn-money-laundering/
- SOURCE-07Punch (2024-01-24) — N4bn theft: EFCC arraigns Obiano today, aide defends ex-gov
- Punch (2024-01-24) — N4bn theft: EFCC arraigns Obiano today, aide defends ex-govpunchng.com/n4bn-theft-efcc-arraigns-obiano-today-aide-defends-ex-gov/
- SOURCE-08Punch (2024) — N4bn fraud: Anambra govt opposes Obiano's trial by EFCC
- Punch (2024) — N4bn fraud: Anambra govt opposes Obiano's trial by EFCCpunchng.com/n4bn-fraud-anambra-govt-opposes-obianos-trial-by-efcc/
- SOURCE-09Vanguard (2022-03) — REVEALED: Conditions keeping ex-Governor Obiano in EFCC custody
- Vanguard (2022-03) — REVEALED: Conditions keeping ex-Governor Obiano in EFCC custodywww.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/revealed-conditions-keeping-ex-governor-obiano-in-efcc-custody-findings/
- SOURCE-10Channels TV (2022-03-24) — EFCC Releases Ex-Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano
- Channels TV (2022-03-24) — EFCC Releases Ex-Anambra Governor, Willie Obianowww.channelstv.com/2022/03/24/efcc-releases-ex-anambra-governor-willie-obiano/
- SOURCE-11TheCable (2025) — 'N4bn fraud': Court fixes November 25 to commence Obiano's trial afresh
- TheCable (2025) — 'N4bn fraud': Court fixes November 25 to commence Obiano's trial afreshwww.thecable.ng/n4bn-fraud-court-fixes-november-25-to-commence-obianos-trial-afresh/
- SOURCE-12TheCable (2025-11-25) — Court adjourns Obiano's 'N4bn fraud' trial indefinitely
- TheCable (2025-11-25) — Court adjourns Obiano's 'N4bn fraud' trial indefinitelywww.thecable.ng/court-adjourns-obianos-n4bn-fraud-trial-indefinitely/
- SOURCE-13SaharaReporters (2025-11-25) — Nigerian High Court Adjourns Ex-Anambra Governor Obiano's N4Billion Money Laundering Trial Indefinitely
- SaharaReporters (2025-11-25) — Nigerian High Court Adjourns Ex-Anambra Governor Obiano's N4Billion Money Laundering Trial Indefinitelysaharareporters.com/2025/11/25/nigerian-high-court-adjourns-ex-anambra-governor-obianos-n4billion-money-laundering
- SOURCE-14EFCC press release — Alleged N4bn Fraud: Court Fixes Nov 25 for Obiano's Trial
- EFCC press release — Alleged N4bn Fraud: Court Fixes Nov 25 for Obiano's Trialwww.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/11305-alleged-n4bn-fraud-court-fixes-nov-25-for-obianos-trial
- SOURCE-15EFCC press release — Obiano's Alleged N4b Fraud: Security Votes were Diverted to Private Companies — Witness
- EFCC press release — Obiano's Alleged N4b Fraud: Security Votes were Diverted to Private Companies — Witnesswww.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/10221-obianos-alleged-n4b-fraud-security-votes-were-diverted-to-private-companies-witness
- SOURCE-16Premium Times — EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian ex-governor and wife reshuffled US property ownership after his arrest
- Premium Times — EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian ex-governor and wife reshuffled US property ownership after his arrestwww.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/800348-exclusive-nigerian-ex-governor-and-wife-reshuffled-us-property-ownership-after-his-arrest.html
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