Obiano is facing a nine-count charge related to money laundering, diversion of funds, and corruption, amounting to N4 billion.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – A prosecution witness in the trial of former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, informed a Federal High Court in Abuja that he was unaware of N860 million deposited into his company’s account by the Anambra State government.
Testifying before Justice Inyang Ekwo, the tenth prosecution witness, Udochukwu Okparache, a general contractor and owner of Youdooh Ventures Limited, said he only became aware of the transactions after an inquiry by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Sometimes in April 2023, I was called by the EFCC to come and give clarification in respect of Youdooh Ventures’ bank account, which I opened in Awka. When I got there, they showed me the transactions I had done with the Anambra State government, but I couldn’t understand the transactions that were there,” Okparache said.
He explained that after noticing the transactions, he contacted his account officer for clarification.
“Immediately, I called my account officer, who told me that he was boosting my account. The inflows were made through manager’s cheques, and the outflows were done by individuals,” he said.
Led in evidence by EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), the witness further stated that “the transactions that were done in that account were through manager’s cheques, which was about N60 million, but N860 million was the total amount that passed through my account. Cherish Ventures Limited, Chief Mrs. Eberechi Willie Obiano, Easy Demands Limited, and many other companies benefited from the transactions. I did not bid for any contract with the Anambra State government.”
Okparache also analysed his statements of account, confirming that funds were transferred in tranches.
“N18 million was paid on April 5, 2018, and N9 million on the same date. Further payment was made into my account on April 11, 2018, while N7 million was transferred to Chief Mrs. Willie Obiano, wife of the defendant,” he said.
During cross-examination by defense counsel Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Okparache admitted that he did not report the transactions to the bank because he wanted his account to be boosted. He, however, denied knowing the defendant personally or whether Obiano authorised the transactions.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the case to May 26, 27, and 28, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
Obiano is facing a nine-count charge related to money laundering, diversion of funds, and corruption, amounting to N4 billion.