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Federal High Court indefinitely halts Obiano’s N4bn money laundering trial after EFCC seeks adjournment pending suspended Judge Ekwo’s return.
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EFCC tells court that nine witnesses already testified before Justice Ekwo, prompting request to await his reinstatement.
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Defence raises no objection, as Justice Mohammed Umar adjourns the high-profile Obiano trial sine die.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has put the N4 billion money laundering trial of former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, on hold indefinitely.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order on Tuesday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel S.O. Obila, applied for an indefinite adjournment.
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Obila informed the court that the lead prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), directed him to request the pause pending the return of Justice Inyang Ekwo, who previously handled the matter.
Justice Ekwo is currently serving a one-year suspension imposed by the National Judicial Council for misconduct. Obila noted that the EFCC had already presented nine witnesses before the former trial judge and preferred that he return to conclude the proceedings.
Lead defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), did not oppose the application. Following submissions from both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the trial sine die, leaving the case without a fixed date for continuation.
Obiano was arraigned on January 24, 2024, on allegations of laundering N4bn in security vote funds allocated to Anambra State during his tenure.
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His legal troubles intensified shortly after leaving office in 2022, when the EFCC placed him on a watchlist and later arrested him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The case has faced repeated delays due to jurisdictional challenges raised by Obiano and the suspension of the previous trial judge.
Recent viral reports falsely alleging Obiano’s death in London have since been debunked, with confirmations that he is alive and residing in the United States.
The indefinite adjournment now means the high-profile trial will remain stalled until Justice Ekwo completes his suspension and becomes available to resume the matter.
