THE MONEY laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, has been delayed due to the suspension of Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) suspended Justice Ekwo during its 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025.
Although the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, directed Justice M. G. Umar from the Enugu Judicial Division to take over cases previously handled by Justice Ekwo, the new judge is yet to resume duties.
A visit to the court on Monday confirmed that proceedings had not commenced as directed.
Willie Obiano, who served as Anambra State governor from March 2014 to March 2022, faces a nine-count charge for allegedly misappropriating over N4 billion from the state’s security vote.
Trial Proceedings
During the trial on October 7, 2024, EFCC’s lead counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, presented two witnesses. The third prosecution witness (PW-3), Ugochukwu Otubelu, a former bank employee, testified that he managed the security vote account under Obiano’s administration.
Otubelu stated that the account’s signatories were the former governor’s Principal Secretary, Willy Nwokoye, and the Accountant, Theophilus Nweze.
He disclosed that funds from the account were transferred to six companies but clarified that the beneficiaries were not the account holders.
The EFCC also called Hayatu Hadejia, a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, as the fourth witness (PW-4). Hadejia confirmed that he operated five BDC companies and was summoned by the EFCC as part of the investigation into Obiano’s financial dealings.
On November 13, 2024, another BDC operator, Ayuba Tanko (PW-5), testified that between April and December 2017, N416 million was deposited into a company account he managed. He stated that the equivalent of $1.137 million was disbursed in return. Tanko confirmed that he had no direct dealings with Obiano.
Additionally, three bankers testified in the ongoing trial.
NJC’s Disciplinary Actions
The NJC suspended three judicial officers, including Justice Ekwo and Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, for one year without pay due to judicial misconduct.
Justice Inyang was penalized for issuing improper ex parte orders in a case involving the sale of a petrol station.
Justice Ekwo was suspended for delivering a ruling without hearing the parties in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021. The NJC also placed him on a watchlist and barred him from elevation for five years.
These decisions were announced in a statement by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, following the Council’s 108th meeting chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. (NAN)
