Leave Anambra out of your N4bn theft charges – EFCC tells ex-gov Obiano

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has told the former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, to leave the state government out of the N4 billion corruption charges against him.

The anti-graft agency claimed at the Federal High Court in Abuja that Anambra State Government was not a party to the alleged fraud charges and that no action by the state government would have effect on the charges..

Specifically, EFCC said that a suit by Anambra State challenging its probe of finances of the state was inconsequential to the corruption charges.

Obiano had in a motion dated March 3 asked the court to dismiss charges against him on the ground that the Anambra State government is currently at the Court of Appeal challenging the authority of the EFCC to investigate and prosecute him.

“There is an appeal at the Court of Appeal filed by the Anambra State Government challenging the powers of the EFCC to investigate the security vote of the Anambra State Government, ” the motion partly read.

The ex-Anambra governor urged the court to quash the charges against him, adding that the court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain issues on accountability for security votes funds.

Obiano, who was arraigned on January 24, is standing trial on nine charges bordering on N4 billon theft.

The EFCC, in its counter-affidavit to Obiano’s motion on notice, argued that the referenced appeal has no relevance to the charges against former governor.

The anti-corruption agency said the charges and evidence presented against Obiano established clearly, a prima facie case against him

The counter-affidavit disposed to by one Habu Fari partly read, “Contrary to the depositions contained in paragraphs 5 (v) and (vi) of the Defendant’s affidavit, the charge and the proofs of evidence disclosed a prima facie case and link the Defendant with the allegations constituted in the Charge

“That the deposition contained in paragraph 5 (xi) of the affidavit in support of Motion, Anambra State Government is not a Defendant in the instant proceedings and the Defendant is not Anambra State. The appeal alluded to have no bearing or relationship with the Instant Charge.”

The EFCC also said the charges preferred against Obiano were devoid of witch-hunting.

“Contrary to the deposition in paragraphs, 5(xii), (xii), (xiv), (xv), (v) (xvii) and (xviii), the instant Charge is brought bonafide, Initiated through due legal process, devoid of witch hunting, precise, unassailable and borne out of the process of a serious investigation as a call to duty to fight economic and financial crimes.

“That the counts constituted in the Charge all border on money laundering which this Honorable Court has exclusive jurisdiction to try,” the Commission said.

At the Wednesday’s proceedings, Obiano’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) adopted his processes and pleaded with the court to grant his client’s request for dismissal of the charges in view of opposition to it by the Anambra State government.

On his part, the EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, asked the court to dismiss the request of the former governor.

He submitted that security votes could be probed when misappropriated.

Tahir said, “I urge your lordship to dismiss the application of the defendant. This court has jurisdiction to hear the matter.

“Security votes are like any other funds when misappropriated it can be accounted for.”

Meanwhile, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo has fixed April 18, 2024, for ruling on Obiano’s request.