>
By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, arrested the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Obiano, who had been on the watch list of the EFCC, was arrested while trying to board a flight to the United States.
Recall that the commission had in a letter to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service dated November 15, 2021, asked the service to place Obiano on a watch list and inform it anytime he is travelling out of the country from any of the international airports and other points of entry and exit.
The immediate past Commissioner for Information in the state, Don Adinuba, had, however, dared the EFCC, insisting that his boss would return to the US, his original base, after leaving office.
But barely few hours after handing over to his successor, Prof. Charles Soludo, Obiano reportedly made his way to Lagos after which he proceeded to the international airport.
On sighting him at 8.30pm, immigration officers were said to have alerted the EFCC who immediately arrested him and took him to their office.
EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the former governor’s arrest, promising to provide more details later.
“It is true. He was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport around 8.30pm,”Uwujaren told The PUNCH.
Obiano was allegedly arrested for 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 be inflated.