Witness confirms Obiano’s banking transactions in money laundering case

Three witnesses from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) testified on Wednesday in a Federal High Court in Abuja, confirming that transactions in bank statements presented as evidence in the money laundering case against former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, followed standard banking procedures.

Obiano, who served as governor of Anambra State from March 2014 to March 2022, is facing a nine-count charge related to allegedly defrauding the state of N4 billion from the state Treasury account.

The prosecution claims the funds were stolen from Anambra’s security votes account, converted into dollars, and then given to Obiano in cash.

The three witnesses from a new generation bank—Jeremiah Nnajenu, Kingsley Onuh, and Gift Onyechi—testified as Principal Witnesses 6, 7, and 8.

They confirmed that the transactions in question were conducted by registered companies through regular banking procedures, with the funds deposited into the bank accounts listed as exhibits in the case.

The prosecution, led by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, had previously called Ayuba Tanko Abbullahi, a Bureau de Change operator, who testified that a total of N416 million was transferred into his company’s account, Zirgazirga, in instalments between April and December 2017.

Abbullahi stated that he subsequently converted the money into dollars, amounting to $1,157,000. Under cross-examination by Obiano’s defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, Abbullahi acknowledged that he had no direct interaction with the defendant.

Similarly, the three bank witnesses, under cross-examination, admitted that they had no direct communication with Obiano regarding the transactions.

At the close of testimony by PW8, Prosecution Counsel Tahir noted that other witnesses he intended to call were unavailable, as they had been transferred to Lagos State. He requested additional time to present these witnesses.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, presiding over the case, adjourned the matter to February 24, 25, and 26, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.