Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the application by a former Anambra State Governor, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, which sought to quash the N40 billion money laundering charges brought against him by the Federal Government.The honourable court lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain issues on accountability for security vote funds
“There is an appeal filed by the Anambra state government challenging the powers of EFCC to investigate the security vote of Anambra state government.
“The preferment of the entire charge is in bad faith. This honourable court has inherent judicial power to grant all the reliefs sought above.”
But in the ruling, Justice Ekwo held that all the reliefs sought by Obiano are not grantable because they are premature and lacking in merit.
The Judge said there is no way the court would know whether the former governor is linked with the alleged offences or not unless the trial is conducted in line with the provisions of the law.
The former governor is being prosecuted by EFCC on 9-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N40 billion.
Meanwhile, the Judge has fixed June 24, 25, 26 and 27 for full blown trial of the charges.
In the same vein, Justice Ekwo permitted Obiano 60 days to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The Judge ordered that Obiano be made to sign an undertaking to return to the country after the treatment and to deposit his travelling passport within three days of his return to Nigeria.
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