EFCC Witness Denies Knowledge of N860 Million Transaction Linked to Obiano
In the ongoing corruption trial of former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, a key prosecution witness has testified that he was unaware of a suspicious N860 million transaction involving his company’s account. The testimony was delivered on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, before Justice Inyang Ekwo at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Udochukwu Okparache, the general contractor and owner of Youdooh Ventures Limited, was led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN. Okparache explained that he only became aware of the N860 million linked to his company’s account after being contacted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in April 2023.
“After being invited by the EFCC, I reviewed the bank records and was unable to make sense of some of the transactions. I reached out to my account officer, who explained that my account was being ‘boosted,’” Okparache told the court.
The witness revealed that the N860 million was transferred using manager’s cheques and subsequently redirected to multiple beneficiaries, including Cherish Ventures Limited, Easy Demands Limited, and Eberechi Willie Obiano, the wife of the former governor. However, Okparache firmly stated that he had never bid for any government contract from the Anambra State government.
During cross-examination by defense counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, Okparache admitted he did not report the suspicious transactions to the bank. He explained that he had hoped the transaction would improve the financial standing of his account. Nonetheless, he denied any personal relationship with Obiano and was unable to confirm whether the former governor authorized the payments.
The EFCC has linked the N860 million transaction to a broader fraud case involving a total of N4 billion, with Obiano facing nine charges, including money laundering, fund diversion, corruption, and theft.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the case to May 26, 27, and 28, 2025, for further proceedings. Obiano, who was arrested by the EFCC shortly after leaving office in 2022, continues to deny any involvement in the alleged financial misappropriation.
