EFCC Releases Obiano And Seizes His Passport

Willie Obiano, the former governor of Anambra State, has been freed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after being detained for one week. Obiano was detained only hours after handing over power to his successor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport on his route to the United States last Thursday.

On Wednesday, the anti-corruption office granted the former governor administrative release while awaiting the fulfillment of his bail terms. The EFCC also withheld his passport as part of his bail conditions. Obiano was being held by the EFCC on suspicion of stealing N42 billion from Anambra State. Obiano's Video: Anambra traditional rulers criticize the EFCC, claiming that he was handled in a dehumanizing way

"He was detained for accused misuse of public monies, including N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote cash withdrawal." "Part of the monies were also reportedly transferred to support political operations in the state," stated the EFFC's Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, following the former governor's detention.

While in detention, a leaked video of Obiano in shorts sipping water while sat circulated on the Internet, prompting widespread outrage. The EFCC stated that it has identified and sanctioned its operator who created and uploaded the video.