The Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned the N4 billion money laundering trial of former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the adjournment on Tuesday following a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s legal team, led by S.O. Obila.
The case, which came up for the first time before Justice Umar, was previously handled by Justice Inyang Ekwo, who is currently serving a one-year suspension imposed by the National Judicial Council for misconduct.
Obila told the court that he had the instructions of the lead prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), to seek an indefinite adjournment to await Justice Ekwo’s return.
He said, “In light of this, I have the instruction of the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), to apply that since we had called nine witnesses before the previous judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, we should wait for him to return and conclude the matter.”
The defence, led by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), did not oppose the request.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the case sine die.
Obiano was arraigned on January 24, 2024, by the EFCC, which accused him of laundering N4bn in security votes allocated to Anambra State during his tenure as governor.
Prior to his arraignment, the EFCC had placed him on a watchlist shortly after he left office in 2022, and he was subsequently arrested at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The trial has been stalled multiple times, particularly after Obiano challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
Recently, reports circulated falsely claiming that he had died in London; however, he remains alive and well in the United States.
The indefinite adjournment means that the trial will remain on hold until Justice Ekwo is available to resume proceeding
