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.
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.
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