The Federal High Court in Abuja heard damning testimony on Tuesday in the trial of former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, over alleged misappropriation of N4 billion.
The First Prosecution Witness, Tochukwu Aloysius Nnadi, a bank manager from Awka, Anambra State, testified that funds from the state’s security votes’ account were diverted to multiple private companies. Nnadi, who has been with the bank since June 2011, presented documents indicating that entities such as Easy Diamond Integrated Links, C.I Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited, and Xpressive Consult Nig. Limited were recipients of these funds.
Led by prosecution counsel Sylvanus Tahir SAN, Nnadi detailed the various accounts held by the Anambra State Government, including the Statutory Revenue Account, Value Added Account, Consolidated Internal Generated Revenue Account, and the Security Votes Account. He stated that the Security Votes Account was managed by the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Willie Nwokoye, and the Government House Accountant, Theophilus Meize. Nnadi confirmed that he had submitted comprehensive financial statements and account documents to the Commission, which were admitted as evidence in court.
The Second Prosecution Witness, Mrs. Chinwe Patricia Ebunam, an Onitsha-based businesswoman, testified that N156,800,000 was mysteriously transferred to her account in 2022 from the Anambra State Government, despite her not executing any contracts for them. Ebunam recounted that she had contacted her bank to upgrade her account for travel purposes and was unaware of the large sum deposited.
Obiano is facing prosecution by the EFCC on nine counts of embezzlement and money laundering amounting to N4 billion. Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the trial to Wednesday, June 26, 2024, for continuation.
