As Mr Peter Obi a former Governor of Anambra and Presidential Aspirant of the Labour Party in the just concluded 2023 general elections continues to court one controversy after another, a money laundering scam allegedly perpetrated by Obi during his era as Anambra governor has again been brought to the fore.

The “We No Dey Give Shishi” slogan was attributed to the Obi candidacy during the electioneering process. Though the politician claims to have a solid financial integrity, it’s on record that he is also one of the most corrupt individuals in Nigerian politics, and was once petitioned by the good people of Anambra for laundering about N250million Anambra money.

In 2009 the media was awash with Mr. Obi trying to cover up his sins through one Mr. Ejike Onwusogbulu a said contractor. Unfortunately the incident remains a dent on the personality of a man who claims to be above board in integrity.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that on the said day, which was Sunday, Police authorities in Lagos received information from one of the aides to Governor Peter Obi that a huge sum of money was been conveyed to the Governor’s private company at Aerodrome road in Apapa, Lagos.

Based on this, Lagos State Police Commissioner, Marvel Akpoyibo led some of his officers including the Area Commander in Apapa and stormed the company.

Police sources said on getting to the scene, they saw the exotic jeeps that transported the money which was arraigned in suit cases inside the premises.

The Police reportedly instructed one of the aides to the Governor who was seen there to inform the Governor of their intention to inspect the vehicles. At this juncture, according to reports, the Governor instructed his aides not to open the vehicles until he comes to Lagos.

As soon as the Commissioner of Police was informed of the Governor’s directive, he reportedly deployed policemen to guard the vehicles until the arrival of the Governor.

That Sunday, at about 2.30 pm, both the Commissioner of Police and Governor Obi arrived the scene with their entourage and the Police Commissioner insisted that the vehicles must be thoroughly searched in the presence of everybody because the information received was a case of arms and ammunition being stockpiled for the 2010 election in Anambra State.

Governor Obi who was reportedly not comfortable with the Commissioner’s directive was said to have capitulated by directing his aides to open the vehicle and this led to the discovery of the whooping sum of N250 million.

It was reported that at this stage, the police boss quickly alerted the Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro who directed that the Governor should make a statement over the discovery.

Sources said that in his statement, Governor Obi stated that the money found in the vehicles belongs to Anambra State and that it was meant for payment to one of their contractors who wanted cash.

It was gathered also that when the police asked Governor Obi why he should pay such a huge amount of money in cash instead of draft or cheque, the Governor could not give reasonable answer.

It was then that the Inspector~General of Police directed that the money should be paid back to Anambra State government account without delay.

On Monday the following day, both the Commissioner of Police and Governor Obi reportedly moved to Spring bank where the money was paid into Anambra State Government account and a photocopy of the deposit slip made and handed over to the Commissioner of Police.

Saturday Vanguard also learnt that what fueled police suspicion over the money was that they also got information that the Governor was billed to travel out of the country a week after the money was intercepted.

To worsen the speculation, Governor Obi reportedly traveled overseas after the incident.

It was at this stage that the Inspector~General of Police who was properly briefed on the incident directed the Force Criminal Investigations Department under Deputy Inspector~General of Police, Israel Ajao to take over the case and unravel the mystery surrounding the movement of the cash from Anambra State to Lagos.

The IGP’s directive was also said to have been prompted by the fact that the contractor whom Governor Obi claimed owns the money never showed up at all stages of the discovery and the fact that Lagos state Police Command preliminary investigations revealed a case of money laundering against the Governor.

An Ibadan based activist, Lateef Adelabu who was reacting to this incident in a recent chat with our correspondent, said Peter Obi should not even regard himself as a saint, for he is one of the reasons Anamabra remains underdeveloped and thus lacks both the moral justification or capacity to take Nigeria to a higher height.