Former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, is challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to hear the alleged fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had on January 24 arraigned the former governor on nine charges bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of 4 billion naira.

At the proceedings, counsel for the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, told the court he was ready for the commencement of trial and had three witnesses to present in court.

But counsel for the defendant, Onyechi Ikpeazu, told the court that he had filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.

He urged the court to exercise its discretion to determine his motion first before the commencement of trial.

The trial Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, subsequently adjourned the matter to March 7, 2024, for a hearing of the motion.