Former Anambra State Governor, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, took center stage at the Federal High Court in Abuja, vehemently contesting his prosecution for alleged fraud committed within Anambra State’s jurisdiction, sparking a legal showdown with the EFCC.
In a sensational courtroom drama, Obiano, represented by his counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, fervently argued against the trial’s venue, asserting that crimes purportedly committed in Anambra should be adjudicated there, not in Abuja.
The high-profile case, stemming from Obiano’s arrest at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, has ignited a storm of controversy since March 17, 2022, when the former governor was apprehended by EFCC operatives.
Accused of pilfering N4,008,573,350 from security vote funds, Obiano faces nine counts of “stealing and corruption,” as alleged by the anti-graft agency.
Despite being granted bail by Justice Inyang Ekwo, with stringent conditions limiting his movement to Abuja, Obiano’s legal team remains resolute in challenging the trial’s jurisdictional grounds.
During Monday’s proceedings, tensions ran high as Obiano’s defense team sparred with EFCC lawyers over the trial’s venue, with both sides presenting impassioned arguments before Justice Ekwo.
While the EFCC pressed forward with its intention to present three witnesses against the former governor, Ikpeazu vehemently urged the court to prioritize resolving the jurisdictional dispute before proceeding to trial.
As the legal battle intensifies, Justice Ekwo intervened, signaling a pivotal moment in the case’s trajectory, emphasizing the need for due process and impartial adjudication.
With both parties slated to reconvene on Thursday to exchange legal submissions, the stage is set for a riveting legal showdown as Obiano seeks to upend the status quo and assert his rights in the face of mounting legal challenges.
