The corruption trial of ex-Anambra Governor Willie Obiano has been adjourned indefinitely after Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to halt the proceedings until the suspended trial judge returns.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told Justice Mohammed Umar that it would be impractical to restart the case before a new judge, as nine witnesses had already been cross-examined in previous sittings under Justice Inyang Ekwo, who was suspended by the National Judicial Council.
Appearing for the EFCC, counsel S. O. Obila said he had instructions from lead prosecutor Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) to apply for an adjournment sine die (without a fixed date). He noted that the agency would rather wait for Ekwo to conclude the matter once reinstated.
Obiano’s lawyer, Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN), did not contest the application, acknowledging the prosecution’s difficulty in recalling witnesses who had already testified.
Justice Umar approved the request, putting the proceedings on hold indefinitely.
Obiano, who governed Anambra State from 2014 until 2022, faces nine money-laundering charges filed in January 2024. The EFCC alleges he diverted more than ₦4 billion from the state’s security vote account into private businesses and cash transactions, some of it allegedly exchanged into foreign currency.
In an earlier ruling in April 2024, Justice Ekwo rejected efforts to dismiss the lawsuit, saying the EFCC had established a case to answer. Testimony already heard includes evidence from a Bureau de Change operator who claimed to have received approximately ₦416 million in security funds over eight months.
