The immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, Monday faulted the jurisdiction of the Abuja Federal High Court to hear his case in the alleged N4 billion frauds preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Obiano is facing trial on nine charges bordering on alleged money laundering leveled against him by the anti-graft agency when he was first arraigned on January 24.
The EFCC alleged that Obiano diverted Anambra State’s security votes to the tune of N4,008,573,350 while he was in the saddle as governor between 2014 and 2022.
He was also accused of indirectly transferring, through his Private Principal Secretary, N1.2bn from the state security vote account to another account belonging to Moment of Peace Ventures, an entity with no business with the state.
But when the counts were read to him, Obiano, pleaded not guilty to all.
At Monday’s hearing, counsel for the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, told the court that he was ready for the commencement of hearing in the matter, presenting three witnesses to ascertain his readiness.
But countering, counsel for the defendant, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) told the court that he had filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to proceed hearing in the matter.
He then urged the court to exercise its discretion to determine his motion first before the commencement of trial.
When asked if he had been served the process, Tahir, who told the court he had been served the process around 9:20 am on Monday stated further that he had yet to file a reply, relating it to sheer waste of time’s court.
“This process is a blatant waste of time. The issue of jurisdiction has been settled by the Supreme Court once the charge bordered on money laundering, the Federal High Court has inherent jurisdiction to try it.” the Prosecutor said.
At that point, Justice Inyang Ekwo came in, urging (Tahir) to allow the court to take its decision on the motion.
He said, “It is not for you to tell the court the Supreme Court’s decision on the issue. Respond to the motion and leave the court to decide.”
Justice Ekwo has adjourned the matter to March 7, 2024, to hear the motion.
