JUST IN: EFCC arrests Willie Obiano at Lagos airport hours after handing over to Soludo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arrested the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, a few hours after handing over to Charles Soludo.

The PUNCH learned that Obiano, who had been on the watch list of the EFCC, was arrested while trying to board a flight to the United States.

Recall that the commission had in a letter to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service dated November 15, 2021, asked immigration to place Obiano on a watch list and inform it anytime he is traveling out of the country from any of the International airports and other points of entry and exit.

The Commissioner for Information in Anambra, Don Adinuba, had, however, dared the EFCC, insisting that his boss would return to the US – his original base – after leaving office.

However, barely hours after handing over to his successor, Prof. Charles Soludo, it was learned that Obiano made his way to Lagos after which he proceeded to the international airport.

On sighting him at 8.30 pm, immigration officers were said to have alerted the EFCC who immediately arrested him and took him to their office.

When contacted on the telephone, the spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the former governors’ arrest, promising to provide more details later.

“It is true. He was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport around 8.30 pm,” said Uwujaren.