The Federal High Court in Abuja has put the ₦4 billion money-laundering trial of former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, on hold indefinitely.
The decision came on Tuesday after the prosecution asked the court to pause the matter until the return of the original trial judge.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the request after listening to the EFCC’s legal team, led by S.O. Obila, who explained that the lead prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), preferred that the case continue only before Justice Inyang Ekwo.
Ekwo had presided over the matter from the beginning but is currently serving a one-year suspension issued by the National Judicial Council.
Obila told the court that nine witnesses had already testified before Justice Ekwo, and restarting the matter before a new judge would amount to repeating the entire process.
According to him, the prosecution was instructed to seek an indefinite adjournment so the case would resume only when Ekwo is cleared to return to the bench.
Defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), did not oppose the application. With both sides aligned, Justice Umar adjourned the matter sine die, leaving the next court date unspecified.
Obiano was arraigned earlier this year on allegations that he diverted ₦4 billion in security vote funds during his time as governor.
The EFCC had accused him of funnelling state money through private individuals and companies between 2017 and 2022.
His trial has witnessed several delays, including legal challenges and administrative disruptions within the judiciary.
The former governor was first arrested in 2022 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport shortly after handing over power, following months on the EFCC watchlist.
The latest adjournment means the case will not move forward until Justice Ekwo returns and decides whether to continue from where it stopped or take fresh arguments.