Obiano: Still in EFCC custody; Officer behind leaked video being sanctioned

Ex-Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State may spend another night in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s custody if he fails to meet the conditions for the administrative bail that has been granted him by the Commission.

Spokesman of the anti-corruption agency confirmed to Global Patriot Newspapers last night (Nigerian time) that the embattled ex-governor was still with them despite having been granted administrative bail.

Meanwhile, the EFCC, has, following discreet investigation, discovered the officer responsible for the leak of a video that went viral showing Obiano in red boxer shorts and white T- shirt while in the Commission’s custody.

While distancing itself from the video which, according to a statement by Uwujaren, “is completely at variance with the established Standard Operating Procedure” of the agency, the EFCC said that “the errant officer behind the odious act… is currently being subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.”

The Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council had on Monday, condemned the online video through a statement signed by its Chairman, the Obi of Onitsha, Prof. Nnaemeka Achebe, which insisted that the Council was embarrassed by the video.

The traditional rulers’ council had decried what it termed the “inhuman treatment” being meted to Obiano and called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Attorney-General, Mr. Abubakar Malami, to call the EFCC to order.

Obiano is being investigated over alleged misappropriation of N42 billion belonging to Anambra state.

The former governor is being interrogated over alleged misapplication of N5 billion Sure-P money and N37 billion security vote, withdrawn in cash.  Part of the funds, according to reports, were allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state.

Announcing the granting of administrative bail to Obiano, the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa had confirmed to journalists at the 5th Annual General Assembly of the Network of National Anti-corruption institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) in Abuja on Monday that “we are waiting for him to perfect his bail conditions.”

Bawa noted, however, that the one-time banker turned politician has been cooperating with the agency, insisting, however, that there is, contrary to speculations, nothing political about the arrest, detention and interrogation of Obiano who was arrested on Thursday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos while trying to catch a flight to Houston Texas, United States of America (USA) after handing over power to Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

He was brought to Abuja on Friday morning and has been in the custody of the anti-graft agency since then..