NewsWhy I Tried To Rush Out Of Nigeria After Handover — Obiano

Why I Tried To Rush Out Of Nigeria After Handover — Obiano

March 28, (THEWILL) – The immediate past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has explained why he tried to leave Nigeria the same day he handed over to his successor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

THEWILL reports that Obiano was intercepted at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, as he tried to board a flight to the United States on Saturday night, March 17.

The development triggered speculations that the former governor tried to evade arrest and possible prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had in late 2021, placed him on its watchlist.

Glo

But speaking exclusively to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday, Obiano, through his lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), said he was not fleeing Nigeria. He said he was rather hurrying to keep a doctor’s appointment to treat a “semi fatal condition.”

“He was not running away. Why will he run away when his family is here and he has a lot to do here? The fact is that he (Obiano) has a medical condition, for which he had a prior appointment to see his Specialist Doctor for treatment at Spring Creek Urology Specialists LLC, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

“By the nature of his ailment, he has been undergoing treatment at the said Specialist Hospital since June 2021, and had an appointment earlier scheduled for the final stage of Specialist Radiography for eight (8) weeks – which will take place immediately upon his arrival at the Facility in Houston, Texas, U.S.A; and thereafter, after four days. Subsequent treatments are scheduled every day for a period of eight (8) weeks”, Ikwueto explained.

Ikwueto said the former governor had since mid last year, received treatment at the U.S. medical facility every three months.

“The last time he was there was December 2021 and became due for another round of treatment this March, shortly before he handed over to Soludo”, he added.

Although, Ikwueto declined to disclose the exact ailment the former governor is being treated for, according to PREMIUM TIMES, Obiano was diagnosed with prostate cancer early last year.

Ikwueto also said Obiano got permission from Federal authorities to travel for urgent medical treatment and that the former governor was surprised that after he was given assurance that he could proceed on his trip, he was blocked at the airport.

“I can tell you that after the media reported that the EFCC placed him on its watchlist, he reached out to authorities at the federal level to seek permission to travel for his scheduled medical treatment.

“He also promised that he would thereafter, return to face any probe the EFCC or any other agency had against him. So it was shocking that he was still treated the way he was, despite the assurance he was given”, the lawyer said.

About the Author

Homepage | Recent Posts

More like this
Related

Bayelsa Journalists Call On Gov Douye Diri To Appoint Easterday As Commissioner

March 28, (THEWILL) - As Bayelsa State Governor,...

FAAN Shuts Down KFC Outlet At MMIA Over PRM Discrimination

March 28, (THEWILL) - The Federal Airports Authority...

FirstNews Editor Segun Olatunji Regains Freedom From DIA Custody

March 28, (THEWILL) - The Editor of FirstNews,...