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Tag: Obiano

  • Alleged N4b fraud: Obiano ‘can’t leave FCT’

    Alleged N4b fraud: Obiano ‘can’t leave FCT’

    • Ex-Anambra governor gets bail

    Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday barred former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, from travelling out of Abuja.

     The ex-governor was arraigned on a nine-count charge for allegedly laundering about N4 billionbetween March 2014 and March 2022.

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claimed Obiano indirectly transferred funds from the security vote account, which he deployed for purposes not related to security.

     The former governor pleaded not guilty.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Obiano arraigned in Abuja, granted bail over alleged N4b fraud

     After taking the defendant’s plea, prosecuting lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir applied for his remand in custody.

    Upon enquiry by Justice Inyang Ekwo, Tahir said the prosecution planned to call 14 witnesses in the case.

     But defence lawyer , Onyechi Ikpeazu, said he filed for bail on behalf of his client.

     When the court asked Tahir if he had responded to the bail application, the lawyer said prosecution received it a few minutes and sought time to respond to the bail application.

    Tahir said the commission had granted Obiano a conditional administrative bail to produce two sureties who are directors in federal civil service.

    The judge said he was inclined to adopt the conditions and granted Obiano bail.

     Justice Ekwo ordered Obiano not to travel outside the court’s jurisdiction without its permission; to deposit his travel documents with the court, following which the court would notify the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) about the restriction on his movement outside the jurisdiction.

     Justice Ekwo adjourned till March 4 for the commencement of trial.

  • UPDATED: Obiano arraigned in Abuja, granted bail over alleged N4b fraud

    UPDATED: Obiano arraigned in Abuja, granted bail over alleged N4b fraud

    Former governor of Anambra state, Willie Obiano was on Wednesday, January 24, arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a nine-count charge in which he is accused of laundering about N4billion.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claimed, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/15/2024, that Obiano, while in office between March 2014 and March 2022 indirectly transferred funds from Anambra State Government’s security vote account, which he deployed for purposes not related to security problems in the state.

    Obiano pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him by an official of the court.

    After the taking of the defendant’s plea, the prosecuting lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) applied for the remand of the defendant in custody pending the commencement of trial.

    Upon inquiry by the judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, Tahir said the prosecution plans to call 14 witnesses in the case.

    However, the defence lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) told the court that he filed an application for bail on behalf of his client.

    When asked by the court if he has responded, Tahir said the prosecution was served with the bail application few minutes before the court commenced sitting.

    Tahir sought time to enable the prosecution respond to the bail application.

    Read Also: Alleged N4b fraud: EFCC to arraign ex-Anambra Governor Obiano today

    The judge then asked the prosecuting lawyer whether the EFCC earlier granted the defendant bail before he was brought to court and on what conditions.

    Tahir said the EFCC granted Obiano a conditional administrative bail, for which he was required to produce two sureties, who are directors in federal civil service and who must possess landed property.

    The judge then said he was inclined to adopt the conditions attached to the bail the EFCC granted Obiano, but with some additions.

    He proceeded to grant Obiano bail, ordered the EFCC to transfer all the documents that the defendants submitted to it while perfecting the earlier bail relating, to the court within seven days.

    Justice ordered Obiano not to travel outside jurisdiction without the court’s permission; to deposit his travel documents with the court, following which the court will notify the Immigration Service about the restriction on his movement outside jurisdiction.

    Justice Ekwo adjourned till March 4 for the commencement of trial.

  • BREAKING: Obiano granted bail after arraignment over alleged N4b fraud

    BREAKING: Obiano granted bail after arraignment over alleged N4b fraud

    Former  Anambra Governor Willie Obiano has been granted bail after he was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a nine-count charge in which he was accused of laundering about N4billion.

    Obiano pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him by an official of the court.

    After the taking of the defendant’s plea, the prosecuting lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) applied for the remand of the defendant in custody pending the commencement of trial.

    However, the defence lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) sought to move his client’s bail application, but Tahir said he was just served the application and needed time to respond.

    At that point, Justice Inyang Ekwo inquired from Tahir if the defendant was earlier granted bail. 

    And, in response, Tahir said the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) granted Obiano conditional administrative bail.

    Read Also: BREAKING: EFCC arraigns ex-Gov Obiano over alleged money laundering

    Ruling, Justice Ekwo admitted Obiano to bail on the same conditions earlier given by the EFCC.

    He ordered the EFCC to transfer all the documents relating to the bail conditions to the court within seven days.

    The judge ordered Obiano not to travel outside jurisdiction without the court’s permission, to deposit his travel documents with the court, following which the court will notify the Immigration Service about the restriction on his movement outside jurisdiction.

    Justice Ekwo adjourned till March 4 for the commencement of trial.

    Detail’s shortly…

  • Obiano’s strong aide, 2000 supporters dump APGA for APC in Anambra

    Obiano’s strong aide, 2000 supporters dump APGA for APC in Anambra

    One of the pillars of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra state, Hilary Udeano, has dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    He joined the party with no fewer than 2000 members, having served as a local government chairman in Anambra East local government area during the regime of Willie Obiano.

    Speaking with The Nation, Udeano, said they were the people that made APGA strong in Anambra state, adding that he had come to bring that same energy into APC.

    He said he joined APGA that time to help his brother who was the governor of the state, adding that governorship election in Anambra in 2025, would not be easy for APGA again, especially, in Anambra East local government area.

    During the gathering of the party at the weekend in Awka, one of the chieftains of APC in Anambra state, Chief Paul Chukwuma doled out Christmas gifts including rice and cash worth over 200 million naira for the party members.

    He said it was his own little way of lifting members of his party in Anambra state since APC was not the government in power in the state.

    The deputy national Organising Secretary of APC, Nze Chidi Duru, commended Sir Paul Chukwuma, for the kind gesture.

     He called on the party faithful to make unity of purpose their watchword, noting that togetherness remained the only reason the Party would succeed in taking over power from APGA.

    The state chairman of the APC, Chief Basil Ejidike, appealed to other wealthy members of the party in the State to emulate Chukwuma, saying, such gesture had never been done in the State. 

    He noted that the gesture would strengthen peace and unity among members in Anambra and beyond.

  • Obiano: All started well should end well

    By Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State

    Sir: I don’t know whether to clap and shout like worshippers praising God for fighting their unending enemies or bow my head in a solemn reflection like the congregation in old time submerging their consciousness in deeper understanding of the mysteries of life. Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has shown more faces in the past few years of his administration than a patient suffering from multiple personality disorder.

    I have sung Obiano’s praises and I have moaned his woes. I am presently confused about what to make of his attitude towards governance.

    The governor came into office like a lion attacking all the criminal structures that were setting the state back. Who in Anambra State will forget the clean-up he did at Upper Iweka, sweeping out all the criminal elements and beautifying and lighting up the place. It seems the monsters are back in town again. My recent travel through Upper Iweka to Lagos shows that the thugs are back making life a menace to travellers. I’m still grateful that the face of Upper Iweka will never be the grotesque image it was in the past.

    The governor is spending his second tenure in office like a dying ember. There is no visibility of his leadership fire to champion new highlights that will leave a memorable impression to the residents of the state. Especially in the area of road construction where he wowed most of us with speedy work, this year’s erosion has condemned the effort. Work has abruptly stopped at these sites like an aborted pregnancy causing the people to agonize for the beautiful life they might have had.

    It will be critically unfair if I fail to shine light on some fundamental changes Obiano has made to improve the quality of life in the state. The good thing about it is that some of them are so subtle like the conversion of under the flyover space at New Parts that used to be a slum to a modern car park. The regular removal of refuse around Nkpor Junction that used to be littered with filth shows a civilized approach to leadership by his government.

    I pray that every power that may be hindering the governor from blazoning his initiatives should be bulldozed to infamy. Governor Obiano started well. Let him finish well so that his success will not be tarnished. I still enjoy the streetlights that passed through my hometown of Umuoji though the abandoned road projects put a crude spin to my happiness.

     

    • Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State.

  • Obiano to upgrade Poly

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has assured students of the Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, Awka North Local Government Area that efforts were on to upgrade the institution to an enviable height.

    He said his administration was committed to repositioning tertiary education system in the state.

    Speaking during the third matriculation of the institution, Obiano said government had invited the National Board for Tertiary Education (NBTE) to ensure all the needed accreditations were achieved for the institution.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof Theresa Obiekezie, the governor promised to pay more attention to the infrastructural development of the institution.

    He said efforts were on to complete the road leading to the polytechnic to open up the entire area.

    The governor further warned the students to shun cultism and other social vices.

    Speaking at the event, the institution’s Rector, Dr Nneka Mefoh, urged the freshers to embrace good principles and moral conduct throughout their stay to be found worthy both in character and learning.

    Mefoh expressed optimism that the challenges confronting the institution would be addressed for the overall interest of the students.

    Also speaking, Chairman, Governing Council of the school, Prof. Prosper Omaliko praised Obiano’s foresight in upgrading the former College of Agriculture to a polytechnic of high repute.

    A total of 115 took the oath of allegiance administered by the Registrar of the institution, Dr.  Samuel Nnanna.

  • Obiano bags Civil Servant’ Excellence In Governance award

    Anambra State governor,  Willie Obiano, has won the Excellence in Governance Award of the Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria. State chairman of the Association, Comrade Ifeanyi Okechukwu,  said the award was presented to the governor for his uncommon transformation of the state.

    Okechukwu who noted that the award was part of the 2019 workers’ day celebration, said Obiano deserved the numerous accolades being showered on him. He said, “Organised labour in and outside the state has variously appreciated the governor for prompt payment of workers’ salaries and pensions in a country where other states are owing months and years of backlog of salaries.

    “His firm promise to be the first to pay the new national minimum wage of N30,000 is also worth commending.” Okechukwu, who doubles as the state chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), recalled that the state had also been rated highly by the World Bank as the best performing state in the South East and South South in the implementation of World Bank projects.

    He noted that the security, education, agriculture and other sectors continue to perform  very well in the state, stressing that  on many indices,  Anambra State stands tall among equals. “Some of the achievements so far recorded by the association under Governor Obiano’s  administration include, payment of the three year’s arrears of salaries owed water corporation staff and the payment of N1.8billion local government pension arrears.

  • Anglican church demands apology from Obiano over alleged insult on Ohanaeze boss

    Anglican Diocese of Aguata, Anambra State, yesterday , asked Governor Willie Obiano to tender unreserved apology to Ndigbo over alleged insult on the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo during the last general elections. The church also demanded an apology from the governor over what they described as an open support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection during the electioneering campaign.

    These were contained in the Bishops Charge presented by Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor at the 2nd Session of the Fifth Synod of Diocese of Aguata holding at St James Anglican Church Uga Aguata Local Government Area. The cleric described the act as betrayal of the Igbo which, according to him, inflicted a deep wound on the people of the region.

    “The insult Chief Willie Obiano laid on President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo was a betrayal of the highest order, a betrayal of the whole Igbo people, a betrayal of his own people. “It was an insult on the whole of Igbo race and we call on him, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano to apologise to Ndigbo. “We do not know how Governor Obiano can explain the stance he took, but may it please him to know that he wounded us so deep in his bid to stop his benefactor Sir Peter Obi.

    “We also need to let the governor know that we are not unaware of his moves against the Anglican faithful in Anambra State.” Also speaking, Chancellor of the Diocese, Justice Pete Obiora commended the bishop for his analysis of the society and courage to say things the way they were. Other clerics that graced the occasion included Achbishop Province of the Niger, Godwin Okpala, Rtd Archbishop Maxwell Amikwenwa, Rtd Archbishop Province of the Niger. Rt. Rev. Christian Efobi, Bishop on the Niger, Rt Rev. Owen Nwokolo and Bishop of Ihiala Diocese, Rt Rev. Prof. Israel Okoye. Others were Bishop Johnson Ekwe of Niger West Diocese, Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Rt Rev. Prosper Amah, Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alexander Ibezim, Rtd Bishop of Niger West Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prof. Anthony Nkwoka, Rt. Rev. Christain Ugwuzo and Bishop, Diocese of Aba, Abia State.

  • Obiano back on the road again

    Sir: Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State is not going quietly into the night in his government. The governor has awakened his administration to move in the direction that previously gained him popularity. The momentum at which road construction is re-commenced in different parts of the state is worth applauding.

    Many people have already considered the road construction going on as one of those mischievous government projects that move at the pace of the equivalent of one year one block. Such projects designed solely to manipulate the hope of the electorates by the party in office to lure the masses into voting for them. Work typically goes up in high gear when election is nearing. However, the Umuoji – Ojoto road construction is surprisingly reaching the stage of layering of asphalt.

    Massive road construction works are equally taking place in various communities in the state. Anambra State is notable for its many tarred road network. The previous administrations of Chris Ngige and Peter Obi started the initiative of giving road construction a priority. The people are noticing. They are not blind to good governance. They feel the impact when there is a difference in their standard of living. I overhead an old man walking on the sand smoothened road at Umuoji – Ojoto construction site as he excitedly commented that the road is smooth as if it was softly done by hand.

    People in office should know that it is not about talking about their achievement. The populace will see when they are actually working. Good works that progress the society are very visible. They should do away with political shenanigans and duly use public resources as it is fittingly appropriated. Every leader wants to be a hero. Unfortunately for them, the masses hold the power to confer that title of nobility on those who truly deserve it. Do the right thing as a leader and your name will be mentioned with joy in the heart of the society.

    I was one of those in the state who have started counting the governor as another flash in the pan leader. He wowed the residents of Anambra State in his first tenure with some bold initiatives like tightened security which to his credit is still successful. Other aspects of his administration have been dying like an early morning ember. The onset of his second tenure has been like a government in comatose. There was no place in the society one can see any sign of government presence. Unless one chooses to flash light in his horrendous foray into national politics, let us say that he has regained his common-sense and retraced his steps.

    The governor has chosen to keep a low profile and let his work speak for him. The buzz is already coming out from different corners about his performance in road constructions. There is no better campaign than touching lives with great service. The people will remember and root for you when the occasion calls. The sound of caterpillar rolling behind my house is a sweet music to me. I feel happy dusting my furniture every morning.

     

    • Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State.

  • Obiano urges Igbo to sustain cultural heritage

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano yesterday in Ogidi called on Igbo people to sustain and promote their rich cultural heritage.

    He spoke at the Ito Aro (retirement ceremony) Ogidi Cultural Festival, held at Ogidi Town Hall.

    The governor stressed the need for Igbo people to encourage and sustain culture that celebrate people while alive, rather than honour them when they die.

    Obiano praised the organisers, especially traditional ruler for the colourful and orderly nature of the event.

    Traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alex Oyido, said the Ito Aro is an age-long traditional observance in Ogidi which had been abandoned for quite long.

    “Ito Aro is deeply rooted in the age grade system in Igboland. Age grade in Ogidi have been very influential and impacted positively on   communal discipline, community development and engineered healthy competitive spirit among the youths,” he said.