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Anambra’s money paid into private firms’ accounts, witness tells court
A Federal High Court in Abuja heard yesterday that funds in the Security Vote Account of the Anambra State government were moved into private companies’ accounts.
A prosecution witness, Ugochukwu Otubelu, said this while testifying at the resumed hearing in the money laundering case involving former Governor Willie Obiano.
He was led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN). Otubelu, who said he used to be a banker, told the court that he managed the state’s security vote account as an Account Officer.
Otubelu identified the private companies as Nazotal Ventures; C. I. Party Ventures Nigeria Limited; Moment of Peace Ventures; Youdoo Ventures and Eazy Diamond Limited.
According to him, the companies were among the entities whose accounts he managed.
When asked whether there were ever inflows to the companies’ accounts from the Security Vote Account of Anambra State, Otubelu said yes.
Asked what happened to the funds thereafter, he said: “It was used to process transactions for the Principal Secretary to the defendant.”
He also told the court that the money did not go to the owners of the accounts.
Earlier, the witness identified Obiano’s Principal Secretary, Willy Nwokoye, and the Government House accountant, Theophilus Nwez, as signatories to the security vote account. According to him, Nwokoye gave directives on how funds in the account should be disbursed.
Otubelu also said he knows Obiano and has dealt with him on some occasions, including taking cash to him in both naira and dollars.
He added: “Still on the transactions of the Principal Secretary, he gives instructions on who payment should be made to. Sometimes, he instructs us to take cash directly to the defendant.”
Under cross-examination by defence lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Otubelu said the Anambra State government was not part of the account, it did not open the accounts and did not operate them.
On whether it was his idea that accounts of the six companies should be used for the instructions given by the Principal Secretary, Otubelu said no. He insisted it was the Principal Secretary who requested for the accounts for discreet security transactions
Another witness, Hayatu Adejo, a bureau de change (BDC) operator, said he was shown evidence that one of his companies – Connaught Nigeria Limited – received funds from Anambra State government.
According to him, the funds were paid into his account by a colleague, one Ayuba, who he sold dollars to.
He said: “I sold dollars to one Ayuba and he asked for my bank account details which I gave him. When the payment was done, I handed the dollars to him, but the payment narration said ‘MC Payment’, meaning Mangers Cheque Payment.
“That is why I did not know the money is from any state account.”
Under cross examination, Adejo denied ever dealing with Obiano.
Further hearing in the case was adjourned till October 7.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
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