EFCC accuses Obiano of evading service of court process as trial stalls

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, March 7, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accused the former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano of evading services of the court process in the N40 billion alleged fraud charges against him.

Lead counsel to EFCC and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Sylvanus Tahir, accused the resumption of the trial of the former governor in the corruption charges against him.

Tahir informed Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo that in compliance with the order of the Court made on Monday, he filed a counter affidavit to oppose the bid by Obiano to challenge the territorial jurisdiction of the Court to prosecute him.

The senior lawyer, however, lamented that efforts to serve the counter affidavit on the former governor through his lawyer on Wednesday as ordered by the court were unsuccessful.

He informed the Court that his team was on Wednesday at the Chamber of Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, lead counsel to Obiano but that the gate to the office was firmly locked.

Tahir said he phoned two of the defendant’s lawyers but he was told they were at a Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

The lawyer claimed that due to the circumstances, he was only able to serve the counter affidavit on the defendant inside the courtroom on Thursday.

He asked the court to proceed to hear the motion of the former governor challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the Court along with the counter affidavit.

However, Patrick Ikweto SAN who represented Obiano at Thursday’s proceedings confirmed being served and pleaded for an adjournment to enable him to respond to the EFCC’s counter affidavit.

Justice Ekwo granted the request and fixed March 13 for the hearing of Obiano’s motion on territorial jurisdiction.

The former governor, who served two terms in Anambra State, was arraigned before the court over alleged embezzlement of state funds amounting to N40 billion.