The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano.
It was gathered that Obiano was arrested at about 8:30p.m. at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The former governor, who has been on the EFCC’s watch list, was reportedly on his way out of the country to Houston, Texas in the United States when he was arrested by the anti-graft agency.
The latest development is coming hours after Obiano handed over to Charles Soludo, the new governor of Anambra State.
READ ALSO: Obiano to EFCC: I’ll relocate to U.S. after my tenure
The EFCC, after placing Obiano on a watch list in November 2021, requested the Nigeria Immigration Service to inform the Commission anytime the former governor is travelling out of the country from any of the international airports, as well as other points of entry and exit.
However, the anti-graft agency has not stated why it arrested Obiano and why he was placed on a watch list.
Meanwhile, Obiano has been moved from the Lagos office of the EFCC to Abuja.
Obiano was detained overnight and moved to Abuja on Friday morning.
Spokesman of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the development to The Star on Friday.
“Obiano has been moved from Lagos to Abuja on Friday morning. He has not been released. Those saying he has been released are spreading fake news. The former governor is in our custody in Abuja,” Uwujaren told The Star.
When asked about the status of Obiano’s wife, Ebelechukwu, Uwujaren said “the former governor is the focus of the EFCC investigation.”
The anti-graft agency said Obiano had been on its watch list for months but the immunity enjoyed by sitting governor prevented his arrest.
Few hours after Obiano handed over to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, he moved to Lagos en route Houston, Texas in the United States. He was arrested by EFCC operatives at Lagos airport.
Obiano’s wife, Ebelechukwu, had on Thursday at the inauguration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as the governor of Anambra State engaged Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu in fisticuffs.
The incident occurred immediately after Soludo took his oath of office.
Dignitaries including Obiano were already seated when Mrs. Obiano stepped in and moved to the front row where the widow of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu was seated.
There were exchange of words between the duo which led to Bianca slapping the ex-governor’s wife.
The fisticuffs drew the attention of security agents and some personalities who pulled Mrs. Obiano off the hold of Bianca.
Mrs. Obiano was later taken away and shortly afterwards, her husband left the venue.
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