Former Anambra Gov. Obiano pleads not guilty to N4bn money laundering charges
The immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has entered a plea of not guilty to nine charges of money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The alleged money laundering activities are reported to involve a substantial amount, totaling N4,008,573,350, which Obiano is accused of transferring from security votes into various accounts. The offenses in question span the period between March 2014 and March 2022.
Upon his arraignment on Wednesday, Obiano vehemently denied all nine counts presented against him. The charges detail specific instances of financial transactions, with one count accusing the former governor of indirectly transferring N156,800.00 from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited.
This entity, reportedly having no business relationship with the state government, allegedly received the funds for purposes unrelated to the security affairs of Anambra State.
Obiano is charged with an offense contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012, punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
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Another count accuses Obiano of indirectly transferring N261,268,585.00 from the Anambra State Government Security Vote to Easy Diamond Integrated Link, a foreign entity with no business ties to the state government.
Similar to the first count, these funds are alleged to have been dissipated for purposes unrelated to the security affairs of Anambra State, constituting an offense under 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.
