The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, arraigned a former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on nine counts of alleged N4billionn fraud during his time as governor from March 2014 to March 2022.
He was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja.
Obiano pleaded not guilty for the money laundering when the charges were read to him.
The prosecution said he has 14 witnesses lined up to testify against the former governor.
On his part, counsel for the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, requested the court’s permission to take Obiano into its custody, which the court declined.
He was subsequently allowed to go home on the terms of an administrative bail the anti-graft agency earlier granted him.
The conditions included the seizure of his international passport, followed with a warning not to travel outside the country without the permission of the court.
Besides, the court directed the EFCC to forward to it, details of those that stood as his surety.
The case has been adjourned to March 4 for the commencement of his trial.
The EFCC, late last year, placed Obiano on a watch list, while it continued its investigation of the former governor.
