The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to allow the trial of former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, to continue before Justice Inyang Ekwo, rather than starting anew before another judge.
Obiano is facing a nine-count charge involving alleged embezzlement and money laundering of N4 billion.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, November 25, 2025, before Justice M. G. Umar, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, represented by two other lawyers, informed the court that the Commission preferred to await Justice Ekwo’s return, noting that substantial portions of the case had already been heard.
The EFCC highlighted that nine witnesses had testified before Justice Ekwo prior to his absence, leaving only a few more for the prosecution to conclude its case. The Commission argued that beginning the matter de novo before a new judge would be a waste of judicial time.
Following the application, Justice Umar ordered a suspension of proceedings and adjourned the case indefinitely pending the resumption of Justice Ekwo.
Obiano, who governed from 2014 to 2022, has consistently denied diverting public funds. The trial continues to attract significant public attention due to the scale of the alleged fraud and his status as a former governor.
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