Obiano Transferred U.S. Properties After Arrest Over ₦4bn Security Vote Scandal – Report
Obiano, who governed Anambra from 2014 to 2022, is facing a nine-count indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of embezzling ₦4 billion from the state’s Security Vote Account. He was arrested in March 2022 at Lagos airport while attempting to board a flight to Houston.
Shortly after his arrest, the Obianos began offloading at least six apartments in Texas, worth an estimated $1.8 million, property records show. Two of those were sold in 2022—one by Obiano, another by his wife—while four others were transferred in 2024 to Wilveg Investments Series LLC, a company linked to their family.
Records indicate Wilveg Investments was established in 2010, and as of November 2023, Ebelechukwu Obiano became its registered agent. The firm lists the former governor, his wife, daughter, and one other individual as managers.
Of the six transferred properties, four were acquired before Obiano assumed office, while two were purchased during his tenure as governor. Despite the asset transfers, the Obianos still jointly own four other properties in Texas, including one bought in 2011 and two others registered solely under Ebelechukwu’s name.
Contacted for comment, Ebelechukwu dismissed the matter as “private business” and refused to elaborate on the ongoing EFCC case or the property moves. Obiano himself could not be reached through numbers linked to his legal team and aides.
The EFCC charges relate to alleged looting of Anambra’s Security Vote Account, a pool of discretionary funds that, according to Transparency International, has historically escaped legislative oversight and fueled corruption due to its opaque nature.
Obiano has denied all allegations. However, the trial has been delayed following the suspension of the presiding judge by the National Judicial Council over unrelated misconduct.
