Politics

EFCC releases ex-gov, Obiano, holds on to his passport

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Willie Obiano, the former Governor of Anambra State was on Wednesday night released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after spending six days in their custody.

The former governor had been picked up by the commission at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on his way to the United States.

This was shortly after the expiration of his tenure last week Thursday, in an apparent ploy to escape inquisition into his administration.

A source close to the matter stated that the EFCC however confiscated his international passport and other travel documents pending the completion of investigations as part of his bail conditions.

Other conditions for his bail, was that Obiano must produce sureties, who must be directors on grade level 17 in the Federal Civil service.

Another condition was for him to produce two senior citizens, who must be landlords in Maitama, Asokoro or Wuse district of Abuja.

Obiano was arrested for the alleged misappropriation of N42 billion belonging to Anambra State.

This was confirmed by Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity who said “Obiano was arrested for alleged misappropriation of public funds, including, N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash. Part of the funds was also allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state.”

Also, Prof Charles Soludo, the recently-sworn-in Governor of Anambra State, in an interview, said Obiano left about N300 million in cash, and a debt profile in hundreds of billions of naira as of December 2021.

“In terms of debt I inherited, it runs into hundreds of billions of Naira. In that of cash, we met about 300 million Naira. In fact, let’s not talk about it. Our treasury is funny,” Soludo said.

Politics

Soludo claims Obiano left N300m in cash, billions of naira in debt

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Prof Charles Soludo, the recently-sworn-in Governor of Anambra State has revealed that his predecessor, Willie Obiano left about N300 million in cash, and a debt profile in hundreds of billions of naira as of December 2021.

Soludo stated this on Tuesday during an interview on Arise TV.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria further stated that other financial details from January to date were still unavailable.

He, however, said he expects those documents to be made available as soon as possible, stressing that they are public documents.

“In terms of debt I inherited, it runs into hundreds of billions of Naira. In that of cash, we met about 300 million Naira. In fact, let’s not talk about it. Our treasury is funny.

But I hope we shall make money henceforth to help us fulfill our promises for infrastructure and development of the state. But in terms of what I met in our coffers, my brother, it’s pathetic. Please let us not go there. God will help us.

“The audited account of Anambra State is open source where anyone can see the assets and liabilities. We are still going to do the reconciliation and we intend to have a very transparent public financial management,” Soludo stated.

However, Soludo also praised the former Governor saying, “Willie Obiano is an honourable man and he kept his word. He did his best to his utmost and he laid some good foundations and make amendments and continue the trajectory.”

He also explained his insistence on adorning the locally-produced Akwaete clothing, saying it would boost the local industry while creating job opportunities.

“In other climes, the leaders patronize the local industry because that is how to create jobs. We are gonna create millions of jobs, just by patronizing this Akwaete because a lot of people now place orders which can’t be met because it is handwoven.

“We will help them get the technology to mass-produce it in order to get more jobs. This agenda is integral since it is the best way to govern by opening the market for the local industry. Made in Anambra first and we create millions of jobs. It is not a temporary thing, for show; I believe in it,” he said.

Shortly after the expiration of his tenure, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Obiano for the alleged misappropriation of N42 billion belonging to the state.

Politics, Videos

Video of former gov, Obiano in EFCC custody leaked

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A video said to be that of former Governor Willie Obiano on Anambra State in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has leaked out and circulating on some social media handles.

In the 13-second video, a man who looks very much like Obiano is seen in boxer shorts and a t-shirt drinking water from a container while consulting with another man.

The video has however not been verified, and the anti-graft agency has not reacted to it.

Obiano was arrested at the Mirtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, on his way to the U.S, soon after he handed over power to his successor, Chukwuma Soludo, in Awka, the state capital.

He is said to be under investigation for alleged misappropriation of state funds.

Politics

Obiano confirms wife’s 2023 senatorial bid

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The Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, said on Saturday his wife, Ebelechukwu, would vie for the Anambra North Senatorial seat in the 2023 general elections.

Obiano, who disclosed this to journalists Aguleri, Anambra East local government area, however, said he would not contest for any political office next year.

The governor had earlier taken journalists round the International Conference Center and the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport in Awka.

He said: “I’m going to rest after my tenure in Anambra State. I do not need to be told that I did well for Anambra people, because I know I did well too. Sometimes, I’m impolite about this, because I know that I spent many sleepless nights to ensure that I did the many projects I did for Anambra people.

“My wife is the one who will be going for the Senate. She wants to run for Senate to represent the Anambra North people. She is from Oyi Local Government Area, which is in Anambra North.”

Obiano will complete his tenure as Anambra governor next month.

Politics

I joined APC because of bad treatment by Obiano, Says Anambra deputy gov, Okeke

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The Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, declared on Friday he would not resign from the position.

Okeke dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) on October 14.

The deputy governor, who addressed journalists at the Government House in Awka, accused Governor Chief Willie Obiano of treating him badly.

Okeke claimed that he has been totally sidelined by the government.

He said: “Within the period I have been very loyal to my boss. But I have been unfairly treated, so I decided to leave the party.

“For four years, I drove one Prado jeep. At a stage, I was the only deputy governor in the country who drove a Prado. I was loyal to him and represented him in a lot of places.

The only time I refused to represent him was when Dr. Chike Akunyili was killed and when he sent me to Enugu, I told him I needed security and also a bulletproof vehicle, and when they didn’t provide that, I decided not to go.

“I have heard people asking me to resign, but I will never resign. The decision I made to join the APC is in my interest, the interest of my family, and also in the best interest of members of my constituency, Njikoka, which I represent.

I have people who have advised me that the position I hold is not for me alone, but for the people of my constituency, so I represent them.

“I was elected on the same ticket with the governor of Anambra State, and I did not beg him to choose me as his running mate for a second time; it was he who came to me and said I will run with him for a second term and we won.

“I was already thinking of joining the APC after my tenure as deputy governor, but when APC people came to me and I told them so, they said it was better for me to join now as I could add to their victory. I gave them three conditions and they accepted.”

The deputy governor expressed optimism that APC governorship candidate, Andy Ubah, would win the November 6 governorship election in the state.

Politics

IPOB accuses Wike, Obiano, Ngige of conspiracy against Kanu

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In the wake of the rearrest of Nnamdi Kanu and his ongoing trial, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the governors of Rivers, Anambra, and labour minister, Chris Ngige of conspiracy and sabotage.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful.

Powerful named Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Gov Willie Obiano of Anambra, Chief Emeka Offor, and labour minister, Chris Ngige, insisting they betrayed Kanu for business and political interests.

The statement reads, “Our intelligence unit, the M. Branch discovered how Emeka Offor of Oraifte coordinated and financed the evil plot. We equally gathered that the Nigerian Government initially refused to commit the extraordinary rendition until Emeka Offor, Nyesom Wike, and Willie Obiano, agreed to bankroll the plot.”

Investigations further revealed that the Nigerian government refused to sponsor the project but some Igbo politicians and businessmen volunteered to fund it, Powerful stated.

“Should anything happen to our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the fate of Judas will be more honourable than what will befall these traitors.

“Anybody close to these saboteurs should advise them to quickly go for the release of our Leader the way they trapped him into the net of the Nigeria Government,” the IPOB spokesman said.

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