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.