Tobias Sylvester
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reacted to a video which was leaked on social media showing the immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, who was arrested last week in their custody.
Video Of Willie Obiano In EFCC Custody
Over the weekend, a video had gone viral on social media showing Obiano dressed in shorts and a white shirt, while drinking from a bottle in a closed room presumed to be in EFCC custody.
The viral video has since elicited reactions, with many Nigerians denouncing it and demanding an investigation into its leakage into the social media space.
Reacting in a statement by its head of media and publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, on Monday, the EFCC said the officer responsible for recording and leaking the video is currently being punished.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a trending video showing the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano in the custody of the Commission.”
“The Commission wishes to distance itself from the said video which is completely at variance with the established Standard Operating Procedure of the EFCC.”
“A discreet investigation ordered upon discovery of the leak has revealed the errant officer behind the odious act and he is currently being subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.”
KanyiDaily had reported how Obiano was apprehended by the EFCC at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos at about 8.30 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2022.
The former governor, who had been on the EFCC watch list since November 15, 2021, was arrested while trying to board a flight to the United States.
The arrest came barely hours after Obiano completed his second term as governor and handed over to Charles Soludo, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who was sworn in as the sixth governor of the state on Thursday.
A source at the EFCC had disclosed that Obiano was arrested for allegedly misappropriating N5bn Sure-P and N37 billion Security Vote funds, amounting to N42 billion in public funds.
Meanwhile, EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa has revealed that the commission had granted Willie Obiano an administrative bail but the former governor is yet to perfect the bail conditions.
