Anambra State may be plunging into huge debts controversies, eight years after former Governor Peter Obi allegedly handed over N76billion to his successor, Chief Willie Obiano, which Obiano had denied.
In 2017, Valentine Obienyem, Media Aide to Obi had stated: ”To refresh our minds, Obi left N2,139,951,400 billion in First Bank (Acc no. 2018779464) for Oko erosion; N4,909,576,925.98 billion in Sure-P Diamond account (0026290200); 1,782,568,032 billion in UBEC 1 Diamond account(0023484282); N2,101,864,766 billion UBEC 2 Diamond Account (0031151473); over N4 billion in many MDG accounts one of which was the N3,048,355,196 billion in Fidelity Bank (5030047097); over 35 billion Naira cash (set aside funds added) in all the banks.”
In reaction, Chief Victor Umeh, former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, had allegedly said that Obi left a N185 billion debt for his successor, Willie Obiano. He had alleged that Obi’s claims that he left about N75 billion in the State treasury as at the time he left office were mere political and face-saving rhetoric, noting that whatever the former governor left were in bonds, some of which will mature in 2030 or beyond. According to Umeh, Obi collected N50 billion as security vote for the eight years of his reign without proper account of what he did with it.
In an interview, few days after taking over as Anambra governor of the state, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, said he found barely N300 million in the state’s coffers when he took office on March 17. The governor claims that he inherited debts of “hundreds of billions of naira” from his predecessor, Willie Obiano.
“In terms of debt I inherited, it runs into hundreds of billions of Naira. In that of cash, we met about N300million only.” Soludo said. “In fact, let’s not talk about it. Our treasury is funny. I hope we shall make money henceforth to help us fulfill our promises for infrastructure and development of the state. But in terms of what I met in our coffers, my brother, it’s pathetic. Please let us not go there. God will help us.”
Obiano was apprehended by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport on his way to the United States of America, few hours after he handed over to Soludo. Although details of the allegations against Mr Obiano are still sketchy, media reports allege that the former two terms is being quizzed by EFCC detectives over alleged misappropriation of public funds, including N5billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash. Part of the money is also alleged to have been diverted to fund political activities in the state.
“Obiano was arrested for alleged misappropriation of public funds, including, N5bn Sure-P and N37billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash. Part of the funds was also allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state,” EFCC’s spokesperson, Mr Uwujaren, was quoted to have said.
The commission had since last year placed the former governor on its watch list. Last year, the EFCC had in a letter to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) dated November 15, 2021, requested the Service to place the governor on a watchlist and inform it anytime he is travelling out of the country from any of the international airports and other points of entry and exit.
