The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said Anambra State Government was not a defendant in the trial of the former governor Willie Obiano, saying that the government’s appeal on the matter was inconsequential.
Obiano had in a motion dated March 3 disclosed that the Anambra state government has filed an appeal challenging the authority of the EFCC to investigate and try him.
“There is an appeal filed by the Anambra State Government challenging the powers of the EFCC to investigate the security vote of the Anambra State Government,” the motion partly read.
The ex-Anambra governor also urged the court to quash the charges against him, adding that the court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain issues on accountability for security votes funds.
Obiano, who was arraigned on January 24, is standing trial on nine charges bordering on alleged N4bn theft.
The EFCC, in its counter-affidavit to Obaino’s supporting affidavit for his motion on notice, stated that the referenced appeal has no relevance to the charges against Obiano.
The anti-corruption agency also said the charges and evidence presented against him establish a prima facie case against Obaino.
