Obiano not released from detention, transferred to Abuja – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that the immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has not been released from detention. Obiano was arrested by the EFCC on Thursday night hours after his handover to the new Anambra governor, Chukwuma Soludo. In a chat with newsmen, the EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said Obiano was transferred to Abuja on Friday morning.

However, reports emerged on Friday morning that Obiano had been released from the EFCC custody. But speaking to newsmen, the EFCC PRO stated that the reports were false and that the ex-governor was still with the commission.

“He’s still with the commission. He was even transferred from Lagos to Abuja this morning,” Uwujaren noted.

Uwujaren, however, did not state whether the ex-governor was arrested alongside his wife, Ebelechukwu. The ex-governor, who had been on the watch list of the EFCC since November 15, 2021, was arrested while trying to board a flight to the United States.

It was learned that Obiano was arrested for allegedly mismanaging over N17bn Paris Club refund and security vote. He is also being probed over some suspicious projects, including the Umueri International Airport project whose cost was believed to be inflated.

The arrest occurred hours after his wife was reportedly slapped by the widow of the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Bianca at the inauguration of Soludo as the governor of the state.