The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally charged former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, with nine counts of alleged N4bn fraud that occurred during his tenure as governor from March 2014 to March 2022. The 68-year-old was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Obiano entered a plea of not guilty to the money laundering charges brought against him. The EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, requested that he be remanded in the custody of the anti-graft agency.

Presently, Obiano is under administrative bail granted by the EFCC, which requires him to provide two sureties holding directorial positions in civil service and possessing landed properties in Abuja. Justice Ekwo affirmed the administrative bail conditions, specifying that Obiano must remain within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and submit his travel documents to the court for future reference. The court also directed the immigration authorities to be informed that all of Obiano’s travel documents are in the court’s possession.