A former governor of Anambra state, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, was Wednesday granted bail by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Obiano is facing trial in a 9-count corruption charges involving over N4 billion brought against him by the federal government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Obiano, who dressed in a Navy blue suite with a black hat to match, was escorted into the court room by more than 10 EFCC operatives.
He was driven into the court premises around 8am in an 18-seater Toyota bus marked ABC 573 KQ and kept inside the vehicle for some minutes before being moved into the court room.
At the proceedings, the EFCC prosecutor, Sylvannus prayed court to invite the defendant to take his plea. He later applied to amend contradictions in count 7 which the Judge granted.
While the charge was read to Obiano, he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
After pleading not guilty, Tahir asked for trial date to enable them call 15 witnesses lined up for his prosecution. He also told the court that the agency has documentary evidence to nail the former governor.
He then asked that the defendant be remanded in custody till the commencement of trial.
Opening his own argument, the defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu pleaded for bail, reminding the court that his client was already enjoying an administrative bail.
Giving his verdicts, the presiding Judge granted the counsel’s request, ordering the transfer of the defendants to the court and notified the registrar.
He also ordered that the Nigerian Immigration Service should be notified that Obiano’s international passport is in court’s custody.
He thereafter ordered quick trial and adjourned the matter to the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th for trial.
