The Federal High Court in Abuja has indeed indefinitely adjourned the trial of former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, who faces allegations of laundering ₦4 billion belonging to the state. The adjournment was granted on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, following a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) legal team, led by S.O. Obila, acting on instructions from lead prosecuting counsel Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) The Punch Premium Times The Whistler.
The Adjournment
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered the indefinite adjournment after EFCC counsel Obila explained that since nine witnesses had already testified before Justice Inyang Ekwo, it would be more appropriate to wait for Ekwo’s return to conclude the matter rather than restart proceedings before a new judge.
The defence, represented by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), did not oppose the application, leading Justice Umar to adjourn the case sine die.
Background of the Case
Obiano was arraigned on January 24, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges filed by the EFCC. The commission alleges that during his tenure as governor (2014–2022), he diverted public funds through questionable transactions, including:
₦1.2 billion transferred from the state’s security vote to a private company with no government affiliation, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
Other allegations of stealing, corruption, abuse of office, and conspiracy.
Security votes are monthly allocations meant strictly for security operations, but investigators claim Obiano misused these funds.
Witness Testimony
Earlier in the trial, Ayuba Tanko, a Bureau De Change operator, testified that he received ₦416 million through proxy accounts linked to Sauki Bureau De Change and Zigaziga Trading and Company Ltd. during Obiano’s administration. Under cross-examination, Tanko denied ever dealing directly with the former governor.
Legal Maneuvers
Obiano’s legal team previously filed a motion to quash the charges, arguing that there was no evidence of wrongdoing and describing the case as an abuse of judicial process. They insisted the former governor never personally authorized disbursement of security vote funds.
Justice Ekwo, however, dismissed the application, ruling that the EFCC has the authority to investigate and prosecute financial offences, and that the sufficiency of evidence could only be determined during trial.
The case has faced repeated delays, including Obiano’s unsuccessful challenge to the court’s jurisdiction, which was eventually struck out.
Implications
The indefinite adjournment has raised concerns about Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight, with critics warning that prolonged delays in high-profile cases erode public confidence in the judicial system. Civil society groups argue that indefinite suspensions often serve as loopholes for politically exposed persons to evade justice.
