Alleged N4bn Fraud: Judge’s Suspension Brings Obiano’s Case to a Standstill

The ongoing money laundering trial of former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has been stalled following the suspension of Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja by the National Judicial Council NJC.

Justice Ekwo was among three judges suspended for one year without pay at the NJC’s 108th meeting held between April 29 and April 30, 2025, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. The disciplinary measures were taken over allegations of judicial misconduct.

Although the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has assigned Justice M. G. Umar of the Enugu Judicial Division to take over Justice Ekwo’s docket, court checks on Monday revealed that the new judge had yet to assume duties, effectively putting the case on hold.

Obiano, who served as governor from March 2014 to March 2022, is facing a nine-count charge bordering on the alleged misappropriation of over N4 billion in public funds.

At the last hearing on October 7, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, represented by lead counsel Sylvanus Tahir SAN, presented two key witnesses.

One of them, Ugochukwu Otubelu, a former bank employee and third prosecution witness PW-3, disclosed how he managed the security vote account on behalf of the Anambra State Government. He said the signatories to the account were former Principal Secretary to the Governor, Willie Nwokoye, and the State Accountant, Theophilus Nweze. Otubelu noted that while funds were disbursed to six company accounts, the actual beneficiaries remained unclear.

The EFCC also called Hayatu Hadejia, a Bureau De Change operator, as PW-4. Hadejia confirmed he was invited by the Commission in relation to financial transactions under Obiano’s administration and disclosed that he operated five BDC companies.

On November 13, 2024, another BDC operator, Ayuba Tanko, testified as PW-5. He told the court that a total of N416 million was paid into a proxy company account he managed between April and December 2017. He added that the sum was later converted to the equivalent of 1.137 million US dollars.

The case remains adjourned until the newly assigned judge resumes and proceedings continue.

More updates to follow…