Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and the APGA national chairman, Barr. Ezeokenwa Sly Jr, few days ago, visited Chief Willie Obiano in Abuja to show solidarity and empathy over his travails.
In a tweet on X, Governor Soludo stated that they had a two-hour chat with his predecessor, Obiano. “The valuable time was well spent. By His grace, this one too shall pass” he noted.
The visit faults the insinuation that Soludo may be the invisible hand behind Obiano’s trial.
In September 2021, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra had asked The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the state’s finances to unearth “monumental deception”. Basil Ejidike, Anambra APC chairman, had alleged that Obiano was “fraudulently” using the state’s security vote.
On his way out of the country after his handover, Chief Obiano was intercepted by EFCC at the airport. He was kept in custody for some days before he was granted administrative bail . On Wednesday this week, the anti-graft agency arraigned him over allegations of money laundering to the tune of N4bn.
The former governor who appeared before Justice Inyang Ekwo of Federal High Court in Abuja pleaded not guilty to the nine-count charge preferred against him. Upon arraignment, Sylvanus Tahir, EFCC counsel, prayed the court to remand the defendant in custody pending the commencement of trial.
But Onyinyechi Ikpeazu, Obiano’s counsel, asked the court to grant bail to his client.
Ruling on the applications, Ekwo held that the defendant should enjoy bail on the administrative terms granted earlier by the EFCC. He added that the defendant’s international passport should be transmitted to the court within 10 days.
The judge also directed the court registrar to inform the immigration service about the passport when it is transferred. The case was subsequently adjourned to March 4 for the commencement of trial.
