EFCC quizzes Obiano over alleged misappropriation of N42bn

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, was being quizzed over alleged misappropriation of N42bn belonging to the state.

An authoritative source in the EFCC made the disclosure on Saturday.

The source said the former governor was being interrogated over alleged misapplication of N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote, withdrawn in cash.

According to the source, part of the funds were also allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state.

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, had on Friday said Obiano was in anti-graft agency’s custody undergoing interrogation after his arrest on Thursday.

Obiano was arrested on Thursday night at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on his way to Houston, United States.

He was detained overnight and moved to Abuja on Friday morning.

“Obiano has been moved from Lagos to Abuja on Friday morning. He has not been released. Those saying he has been released are spreading fake news. The former governor is in our custody in Abuja,” Uwujaren told The Star.

When asked about the status of Obiano’s wife, Ebelechukwu, Uwujaren said “the former governor is the focus of the EFCC investigation.”

The anti-graft agency said Obiano had been on its watch list for months but the immunity enjoyed by sitting governor prevented his arrest.

EFCC had requested the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to provide information on the former governor’s movement out of the country from airports, or other points of exit from the country.

It would be recalled that Obiano was arrested by the anti-graft agency on Thursday night, hours after handing over to the new Anambra Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

The Star