Court grants Obiano bail after N4bn money laundering arraignment

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, arraigned former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, before a federal high court in Abuja.

The anti-corruption agency accused him of laundering money and filed a nine-count charge against him.

Obiano however denied any wrongdoing and entered a not guilty plea.

The EFCC’s lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, requested the court to keep the former governor in custody until the trial begins.

However, Obiano’s lawyer, Onyinyechi Ikpeazu, appealed to the court to release him on bail.

The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, agreed to grant bail to the defendant based on the same conditions that the EFCC had earlier given.

He also ordered the defendant to hand over his international passport to the court within 10 days and instructed the court registrar to notify the immigration service about the passport transfer.

The trial was adjourned to March 4.