The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed reason the former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano was arrested.
Wilson Uwajaren, Public Relations Officer of the EFCC confirmed the arrest.
Obiano who just handed over the leadership of Anambra State less than 24 hours ago to Governor Chukwuma Soludo was picked up 8:30pm on Thursday night at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The Commission said he was arrested as he made to leave the country to Houston, Texas, the United States.
Confirming the development during a chat with BBC Pidgin, the EFCC spokesperson said Obiano was nabbed because he was on the watchlist of the anti-graft agency.
He added that they could not arrest him earlier because of his immunity as a sitting Governor.
He said, “Obiano has been on our watchlist for sometime now. He had immunity as a governor and that is why we could not arrest him before now.
“Today he lost the immunity and was traveling out of the country before we finally arrested him”.
Speaking with BBC News Pidgin Uwajere said, “E bin don dey our watchlist for sometime now. If you dey on di watchlist e mean say we dey look out for you. Before now e get immunity, E lose di immunity today and e bin wan leave di kontri so we pick am.”
“E no dey clear for now why di commission get am for dia watchlist as di allegation against am no dey clear.”
The inauguration of the new Governor of Anambra State also witnessed a most unexpected brawl between Obiano’s wife, Ebelechukwu and the wife of Odumegwu Ojukwu, one of the most respected personalities in Igboland, Bianca.
Mrs Obiano was seen in viral videos cat-walking to Bianca to taunt her for attending the inauguration.
An infuriated Bianca slapped her aggressor 3 times, prompting security operatives, the clergy, traditional rulers and dignitaries to separate them.