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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has confirmed that the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has not been released from detention.
In an interview with The PUNCH EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed that Obiano was transferred to Abuja, on Friday morning.
Obiano was arrested by the EFCC on Thursday night, hours after handing over to the new Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.
There were reports on Friday morning that Obiano had been released from the EFCC custody.
However, Uwujaren said that the reports were false, adding that the former governor was still with the commission.
“He’s still with the commission. He was even transferred from Lagos to Abuja this morning,” Uwujaren said.
The EFCC spokesperson did not state whether the ex-governor was arrested with his wife, Ebelechukwu.
EFCC operatives picked up Obiano at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, around 08:30pm, on Thursday, while trying to board a flight to United States.
The ex-governor had been on the EFCC watch list since November 15,2021.
Obiano was arrested for allegedly mismanaging over N17 billion Paris Club refund and security vote.
He is also being probed over some suspicious projects, including the Umueri International Airport project,whose cost was believed to have been inflated.