Former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano has been granted bail after being brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a nine-count charge of laundering over N4 billion.
Obiano pled not guilty when the charge was read to him by a court officer.
Following the taking of the defendant’s plea, the prosecution attorney, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), sought for the defendant’s remand in custody till the start of the trial.
However, the defence lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), attempted to move his client’s bail application, but Tahir stated that he had just been served with the application and needed time to react.
At that moment, Justice Inyang Ekwo asked Tahir if the defendant had previously been granted bail.
In response, Tahir stated that the prosecution agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), granted Obiano conditional administrative bail.
Justice Ekwo ruled that Obiano might be released on bail under the same terms as the EFCC had previously set.
He directed the EFCC to deliver all documentation related to the bail conditions to the court within seven days.
The judge ordered Obiano not to leave the jurisdiction without the court’s authorization and to deposit his travel documents with the court, after which the court will notify the Immigration Service of the restriction on his movement outside the jurisdiction.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the trial until March 4.
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