Court Grants Willie Obiano Bail, Demands His International Passport

A Federal High Court in Abuja has on Wednesday, granted the former Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano bail after being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over allegations of money laundering.

On Wednesday, Obiano who appeared before Justice Inyang Ekwo, pleaded not guilty to the nine-count charge preferred against him by the anti-graft agency.

At the defendant’s arraignment, EFCC attorney, Sylvanus Tahir asked the court to keep him in custody until the trial could begin.

But Obiano’s counsel, Onyinyechi Ikpeazu requested that the court grant bail to his client.

Ruling on the applications, Ekwo decided that the defendant should be granted bail based on the administrative terms that the EFCC had previously set.

He further stated that the defendant’s international passport should be provided to the court within 10 days.

Additionally, the court registrar was instructed by the judge to notify immigration authorities of the passport transfer.

The case was subsequently adjourned to March 4 for the commencement of trial.

In September 2021, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra had asked the anti-graft agency 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.