Five days after he assumed office as the new Governor of the South-East state of Anambra, Chief Willie M Obiano yesterday distanced himself from 419ners seeking to cash in on his name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The governor in a statement issued in the state capital, Awka, by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, James Eze, advised the public to disregard any offer by any group or individual to pay money so as to get appointed into his cabinet as he has no business with those dangling such offers.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the activities of an online crime syndicate soliciting funds from unsuspecting members of the public in exchange for a political appointment with the governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willie M Obiano.

“This faceless syndicate is asking potential victims to pay the sum of N500,000 into a First Bank Plc Account Number 3068580251 belonging to a certain Anthony Dariye. It also advised unsuspecting victims to contact it through phone number 08082221001 and email addresses – willyobiano@info.com and obiano@gov.ng.

“We urge the general public to disregard this group as it has absolutely no relationship whatsoever with either the Government of Anambra State or the person of the Governor of Anambra State.”

•Photo shows Governor Obiano at work.