A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, has denied knowledge of an N860 million transaction linked to his company’s account.
The witness, Udochukwu Okparache, a general contractor and owner of Youdooh Ventures Limited, testified before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
He stated that he was unaware of the large sum deposited in his company’s account by the Anambra State government.
“Sometimes in April 2023, I was called by the EFCC to come and give clarification in respect of Youdooh Ventures bank account, which I opened in Awka and when I got there, they showed me the transactions I had done with the Anambra State government but couldn’t understand the transaction that was there. Immediately, I called my account officer, who told me that he was boosting my account. The inflows were made through Manager’s cheques and the outflows were done by individuals,” Okparache said.
He further explained that his account officer had informed him the transactions were meant to improve his account status for an international trip.
According to him, “The transactions that were done in that account were through Manager’s cheques, which was about N60 million but N860 million was the total amount that passed through my account, which Cherish Ventures Limited, Chief Mrs. Eberechi Willie Obiano, Easy Demands Limited and so many others companies benefited from the transactions. I did not bid for any contract with the Anambra State government.”
Okparache confirmed that the transactions took place in tranches, with N18 million and N9 million deposited into his account on April 5, 2018, followed by further payments, including N7 million transferred to Chief Mrs. Willie Obiano, the wife of the defendant, on April 11, 2018.
During cross-examination, defense counsel Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, questioned why Okparache did not report the transactions to the bank. In response, he stated, “The reason I did not report to the bank when I noticed the transactions was that I wanted my account to be boosted.” He also denied knowing Obiano personally or being aware if the former governor had authorized the transactions.
Following his testimony, Justice Ekwo adjourned the case to May 26, 27, and 28, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
Obiano is currently facing a nine-count charge related to money laundering, fund diversion, stealing, and corruption amounting to N4 billion.
