Obiano Challenges EFCC Jurisdiction: Insists Crimes Allegedly Committed In Anambra Not Prosecutable In Abuja

Former Anambra State Governor, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to reject jurisdiction over the fraud charges leveled against him, insisting that the alleged crimes occurred in Anambra State. Through his lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, Obiano emphasized the need for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to transfer the prosecution to the appropriate jurisdiction in Anambra.

Facing charges of embezzling N40 billion in state funds during his two terms in office, Obiano filed a motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction. During Monday’s proceedings, EFCC lawyer Sylvanus Tahir revealed three witnesses for the trial, but Ikpeazu insisted on resolving the jurisdictional matter before proceeding.

Ikpeazu argued for the court’s discretion to prioritize his motion, prompting Tahir to label it a “blatant waste of time.” However, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo intervened, emphasizing the court’s role in deciding the motion on its merit. The lawyers agreed to return on Thursday to exchange documents related to the motion on notice.

The charges against Obiano include allegations of indirectly transferring N261,268,585.00 from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account to Easy Diamond Integrated Link’s account. The funds were allegedly misappropriated for purposes unrelated to Anambra State’s security affairs, constituting offenses under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. The court adjourned the matter to March 7 to determine the motion on notice.

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