Obiano’s N4bn Fraud Trial Rescheduled for November 25

Abuja, Nigeria – The trial of former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, on charges of alleged N4 billion fraud has been set to resume on November 25, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Mohammed Umar, who recently took over the case, fixed the date after today’s proceedings.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Obiano on a nine-count charge that includes money laundering, diversion of public funds, stealing, and corruption. The trial is effectively starting afresh under Justice Umar, who was assigned the case on May 8, 2025, by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho. This reassignment occurred after the previous trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, had initially scheduled a continuation of the trial for May 26, 2025. Justice Umar, who was transferred from the Enugu Judicial Division, could not sit on that date, leading to today’s mention.

Before the case was reassigned, the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, had already presented five witnesses before Justice Ekwo. These witnesses included three bankers and two bureau de change operators.

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Notably, the Third Prosecution Witness (PW3), Mr. Ugochukwu Otubelu, a banker who managed Obiano’s security vote account, testified that funds from this account were transferred into the accounts of six private companies. Furthermore, the Fifth Prosecution Witness (PW5), Ayuba Tanko, a bureau de change operator, disclosed on November 13, 2024, that a total of N416 million was paid in tranches into his company’s account between April and December 2017 by a proxy of the former governor. This amount was exchanged for $1.137 million.

Obiano served as the Governor of Anambra State from March 2014 to March 2022. The case continues to draw significant public attention as the legal proceedings unfold.