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Tag: Chimaroke Nnamani

  • Nnamani seeks increased enlightenment, funding of sickle cell societies

    The senator representing Enugu East, Chimaroke Nnamani, on Wednesday canvassed increased public enlightenment, awareness and funding of sickle cell societies in the country.

    He also sought free sero-diagnosis and identification of all sickle cell patients and carriers of sickle cell gene in all government health facilities.

    The former Enugu State Governor who is also a medical doctor stated this in a statement to mark world Sickle Cell Day.

    Nnanmani said: “Today, as we draw attention towards Sickle Cell Day, a day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/63/L/63 of December 22, 2008, we salute all “sicklers”, including sickle cell patients, their mothers, fathers, siblings and all dependants. When a sickle cell patient suffers, the entire family and dependants also suffer.

    “As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child; so also it takes a village to take care of a sickle cell patient.

    Read Also: APC leadership tussle: Court dismisses Nnamani’s suit

    “To all sickle cell patients, I say to them we are all in it together. As we await full commencement of the 9th Assembly of the Nigeria Senate, our agenda is very clear.

    “Full and free sero-diagnosis and identification of all sickle cell patients and carriers of sickle cell gene in all government health facilities

    “Free counselling for all sickle cell patients and treatment in all government health facilities, including out-patient services, specifically emergency room attention and sickle cell clinics.

    “Free in-patient service in all government health facilities.

    “Free drugs and other modalities for therapy at all government hospitals.

    “Appropriate data collection and documentation at birth, and reflection of data and relevant forms including death certificates.

    “Free family and marriage counselling at all government health facilities and tertiary institutions.

    “Increased public enlightenment and awareness/funding and support of sickle cell societies and the like organisations.

    “Finally, to all sickles patients, we share your pains, we salute your courage, doggedness and tenacity.”

     

  • Nnamani, Nwobodo, others vow to resist PDP’s proxy candidate

    Former Senate President , Chief Ken Nnamani and former governor of old Anambra state Senator Jim Nwobodo, have vowed to resist any attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to  impose erstwhile governor of the state, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, by proxy as candidate of the party for Enugu East senatorial district in the 2019 general election.

    Speaking during the official flag off of the campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the district, Prince Lawrence Eze, in Enugu, Senator Nnamani, said the action of the PDP is a clear violation of the electoral act and nation’s constitution, and capable of  sending  those involved to prison.

    Former Governor Nnamani, who is currently residing in the United States of  America , was declared winner of the recent  controversial PDP primary election, which the incumbent senator representing the zone, Gilbert Nnaji is presently  challenging in court over alleged manipulation.

    The former Senate president, who is a chieftain of the APC in Enugu state,  wondered how someone who is in America could be declared winner of an election he did not participate in, adding that “Chimaroke Nnamani did not swear affidavit because such sensitive document cannot be sworn by proxy, yet some people went behind to declare him winner of the PDP primary.

    “I know that there is no law in our land authorizing someone to swear affidavit for another person, am saying this because those who perpetrated this fraud may be matching to the prison.

    Read Also: PDP urges Buhari to sign amended Electoral Act

    “This action shows that the PDP impunity is still rearing its ugly head in Enugu East senatorial zone. Our political process in the country as well as the zone are on trial. We are going to resist this undemocratic act, because am an interested party in the matter.

    “We cannot have a senator by proxy, warning that if not properly handled, the development is capable of igniting political crisis in the senatorial district.

    “I’m yet to know why PDP chose to commit such high level of impunity in my own senatorial district.As much as we know,Chimaroke was not seen anywhere. He is still outside the country in his sick bed. Even if somebody filled the forms for him in proxy. The electoral law demands he must swear the court affidavits by himself. The conspirators might go to prison.”

    Chief Nwobodo, in his remarks at the event, described the fronting of ex Governor  Nnamani as candidate of  PDP  as a great fraud which they must all join hands to  resist at all cost.

    The former senate president and Nwobodo, hail from Enugu East senatorial district and at different times represented the zone in the red chambers of the nations National Assembly NASS.

    Nwobodo, and Nnamani,  who had during the event endorsed the APC flag bearer, , boasted that he (Prince Eze), is likely to be the only candidate for Enugu East senatorial election and pleaded to be joined in the suit to seek ex Governor Chimaroke Nnamani’s disqualification from the contest.

    Nwobodo, agreed with all that  Senator Nnamani, said and urged the electorate in the zone to “vote for Prince Lawrence Eze as the next senator of Enugu East senatorial district, just as he applauded  the APC candidate who has been using  his personal resources to  provide various social  amenities for his people, including construction of Asphalted roads in many communities .”

    Prince Eze in his speech, had assured the people of the district that if given the mandate to serve, he would protect the interest of the entire people of the zone, adding that he will also make their empowerment and responsible leadership his watch word.

    “I want to thank all  our leaders  and supporters here present, for your for your continued encouragement, and assure you that I will not disappoint your if vote into office.

  • Order to arrest ex- governor Nnamani subsists – Court

    Order to arrest ex- governor Nnamani subsists – Court

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday refused to discharge a bench warrant issued for the arrest of former Enugu State Governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani.

    Justice Chuka Obiozor refused an application filed by Nnamani’s lawyer, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), that that arrest warrant be vacated.

    “The request for an order to discharge the bench warrant against the first defendant before me, for now, is hereby refused. This is without prejudice to the renewal of the application at the next adjourned date,” he held.

    The judge on December 4 last year issued the bench warrant due to Nnamani’s failure to attend court for his arraignment.

    He also ordered the arrest of Nnamani’s co-accused and former aide, Sunday Anyaogu, who was in court on Friday.

    Tarfa withdrew the application challenging the court’s jurisdiction and seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting the defendant.

    Tarfa argued that there was no valid charge against Nnamani before the court, adding that third to eighth defendants had been convicted following a plea bargain.

    Prosecuting counsel, Mr. Kelvin Uzozie, pleaded for time to consult with his employers on how to proceed with the case.

    He added that Nnamani’s and Anyaogu’s case was yet to be concluded.

    “We are working on an amendment of the charge to reflect the proper situation. We will ask the court to indulge us by way of an adjournment to bring a clean copy of the charge sheet,” Uzozie said.

     

  • Nnamani challenges court’s jurisdiction on money laundering trial

    Nnamani challenges court’s jurisdiction on money laundering trial

    A former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, has urged the Federal High Court, Lagos, not to try him for alleged money laundering due to lack of jurisdiction.

    Justice Chuka Obiozor on December 4 issued a bench warrant for Nnamani’s arrest over his failure to show up in court for his arraignment.

    The judge also ordered the arrest of Nnamani’s co-accused, Sunday Anyaogu.

    Nnamani’s lawyer, Abubakar Samusudeen, said on Thursday he filed an application praying the court to hold that it lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case.

    According to him, there was a plea bargain agreement between Nnamani’s co-accused and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) based on an amended charge of July 7, 2015.

    Nnamani prayed for an order setting aside the charge against him and eight others, whether in its original or amended form.

    He sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Federal Government or its agents from inviting, instituting, maintaining or otherwise prosecuting them in respect of the charge.

    Nnamani prayed for an order suspending his arraignment pending the hearing and determination of his application for injunction.

    Samusudeen also urged the court to withdraw the bench warrant issued against Anyaogu (the second defendant), saying he came to the court voluntarily and was not aware that the matter was to come up at the last adjournment date when his arrest was ordered.

    EFCC lawyer, Kelvin Uzozie, said he was just being served with the application, adding that there was an issue of law contained in it.

    He asked for short adjournment to enable the EFCC respond to the application.

  • N4.5b money laundering: Court issues bench warrant on Nnamani

    N4.5b money laundering: Court issues bench warrant on Nnamani

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday issued a bench warrant for the arrest and production in court of a former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, over alleged laundering of N4.5 billion.

    The court issued the order following the absence of the accused, to stand trial.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Nnamani alongside his former aide, Sunday Anyaogu, over the alleged laundering of the money.

    Also charged are six firms, namely: Rainbownet Nigeria Ltd, Hillgate Nigeria Ltd, Cosmo FM, Capital City Automobile Nigeria Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

    The ex-governor and his co-accused were said to have allegedly lodged the laundered sum in a secret account, with the aim of concealing its source.

    When the case was called on Monday, Mr Kelvin Uzozie announced appearance for the prosecution, while Mr Abubakar Shamsudeen appeared for the accused.

    The prosecution then informed the court of the absence of the accused and prayed the court for a bench warrant against the accused, as well as a summons for the sureties to appear and show cause.

    Meanwhile, in his submissions before the court, the defence counsel, Shamsudeen urged the court to grant an adjournment until January 2018, to enable counsel to contact family members of the accused and get across to him.

    Shamsudeen stressed that the accused was bed ridden in the U.S. due to a surgery he had undergone, adding that other accused had entered a plea bargain in the matter.

    He urged the court to grant a further adjournment.

    In reaction, the trial judge, Justice Chuka Obiozor, asked the defence counsel, “you seem to be very knowledgeable in the matter, so tell me when was the plea bargain’’?

    Shamsudeen, in response, said he was not so sure of the date but added that it was between May and June, 2015.
    Obiozor then asked, “So from 2015 till now, what happened’’?

    In response, Shamsudeen explained to the court that the health condition of the accused was part of the major reason why a plea bargain was made.

    He added that although the first and second accused had pleaded not guilty to the charge before the court, the first accused had interest in the other companies joined as accused.

    Justice Obiozor then said:

    “A defendant may be guilty or not guilty but the law requires such defendant to appear and stand trial, and the sole duty of the Court is to do justice.

    “You are asking for an adjournment till January when this case has lingered on since 2007, which is almost 10 years.

    “Justice as we all know is a-three way traffic and once it is lagging, you blame the judiciary.

    “This is not a case of more haste and less speed; no, I won’t allow that in my court; this is a 2007 charge and up till now, we are still talking of plea.

    “This matter was slated for re-arraignment today, and I have not found any justification for the absence of the accused before this court, to take their pleas.

    “There must be an end to litigation; the charge before me was filed in 2007 and it is now 10 years.

    “In the peculiar circumstances of this case, and particularly in the absence of any convincing explanation on the absence of the defendants before this court today, it is hereby ordered.

    “That a bench warrant be issued against the first and second defendants, as well as a summons for the sureties to show cause.
    “Consequently, this case is adjourned until Dec. 14, for further proceedings.

    Nnamani was earlier arraigned before Justice Tijani Abubakar and re-arraigned before Justice Charles Archibong when Tijani Abubakar was elevated to the Court of Appeal and later re-arraigned before Mohammed Yinusa, when Justice Archibong retired.

    The former governor was re-arraigned on a 105-count charge of money laundering and economic crime, to the tune of N4.5 billion.
    The case has just been reassigned to Obiozor, to start afresh.

    According to the commission, their alleged offence contravened the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, and the EFCC Act, 2004.

    NAN

  • Money laundering: Court orders ex-Enugu governor Nnamani’s arrest

    Money laundering: Court orders ex-Enugu governor Nnamani’s arrest

    The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday issued a warrant of arrest against a former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani.

    The ex-governor was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering of N4.5billion.

    Nnamani allegedly committed the offence during his stint as Enugu State governor from 1999 to 2007.

    He was first arraigned alongside one of his aides, Sunday Anyaogu, and six firms in 2007.

    The firms are – Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Hillgate Nigeria Limited, Cosmo FM, Capital City Automobile Nigeria Limited, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

    The EFCC accused the ex-governor of conspiring with other defendants to launder various statutory allocations of some local government areas of Enugu State.

    Justice Chuka Obiozor ordered Nnamani’s arrest for failing to appear in court for his re-arraignment on Monday.

    The judge held that the ex-governor’s counsel failed to give a “tenable reason” why his client was absent in court.

     

  • Enugu State to pay N80m for illegal demolition

    Enugu State to pay N80m for illegal demolition

    Enugu State Government says it will pay N80 million compensation for the illegal demolition of a property belonging to Chief Fidelis Okoro within 90 days.

    The property situated at No. 11 Savage Crescent, GRA, Enugu, was demolished in 2005 on the orders of the then governor, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani.

    Okoro, who was then representing Enugu North Senatorial Zone in the Senate, proceeded to court and obtained judgment against the state government for the payment of N140 million for the illegal act.

    However, the matter lingered as the last administration did not honour the judgment.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele said that the approval to pay the damage was given at the meeting of the State Executive Council on Wednesday.

    Briefing newsmen on Thursday on the outcome of the meeting, Udeuhele said that the action of the then administration was without justification.

    He said that the council made the approval to forestall further litigation as the ex-senator had threatened to approach the court for enforcement of the judgment.

    “Okoro got the judgment during the past administration in the state but the state government could not honour it.

    “The last administration could not pay the money and the senator had threatened to approach the court for an enforcement order.

    “The state government approached and negotiated with him after which he decided to forfeit N60 million from the original amount considering the state of things in the economy,” he said.

    Udeuhele said that the outstanding N80 million would be paid within 90 days of the approval and was free from Value Added Tax or any other deductions.

    The commissioner said that the ex-senator needed to be commended for his patriotism in forfeiting such huge amount to the state government.

    Okoro, who hails from the same senatorial zone with the current governor, was at the Senate from 1999 to 2007.

  • IPAC appeals to Gov. Ugwuanyi to complete abandoned projects

    IPAC appeals to Gov. Ugwuanyi to complete abandoned projects

    Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body of all political parties in the country, has appealed to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to complete projects abandoned by previous administrations.

    Chairman of IPAC in the state, Mr John Nwobodo, made the call on Friday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

    Nwobodo said that the abandoned projects, which included the International Conference Centre, started by former Gov. Chimaroke Nnamani’s administration should be given attention.

    “Their completion will boost the state’s economic fortune and resuscitate the positive ideas behind them,’’ he said.

    He assured of IPAC’s cooperation to ensure that the present administration in the state succeeded, adding that its members were open to collaboration with the government as such would promote more inclusiveness.

    Nwobodo lauded the milestone achievements of the governor so far, saying “Gov. Ugwuanyi has robustly delivered effective governance notwithstanding the meagre resources accruable to the state’’.

    He expressed the group’s commitment to a new political culture of tolerance and accommodation in the state.

    “We are placing the state above personal or party interest because first of all, we are all indigenes of Enugu State before we joined these political parties,’’ he said.

  • Enugu moves to take possession of Nnamani’s properties

    Enugu moves to take possession of Nnamani’s properties

    The Enugu State government has moved to take possession of properties seized from its former governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, but forfeited to the Federal government through a Federal High Court order.

    To this end, the government has approved the appointment of a law firm to engage the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the federal government with a view to returning the right of possession to the state government. ‎

    The order of forfeiture to the federal government was given by a   Federal High Court on July 8 after a protracted prosecution of the former governor.

    The state’s commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele, dropped the hint at a press briefing at the end of the state executive council’s meeting.

    The properties scattered  in the South-East states were said to have been acquired by the former governor between 1999 and 2007 while in office through proxies.

    The said properties running into billions of naira were allegedly purchased with the excess crude oil share accruing to five local governments in Enugu and EFCC had been in court for more than eight years to ensure seizure of the properties and conviction of the former governor.

    The commissioner noted that the properties in question belong to the following companies – Renaissance University Teaching Hospital, Ceuna Communication Limited (Cosmo FM), Capital City Automobiles Nigeria Limited and Rainbow-net Limited.

  • Court orders forfeiture of Nnamani’s assets

    Court orders forfeiture of Nnamani’s assets

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Tuesday ordered the forfeiture of multi-billion naira assets allegedly belonging to a former Enugu State Governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani.

    Among the forfeited assets are undeveloped properties and transmission equipment of Rainbownet Limited; properties of Hill Gate Investment Limited/Cuena Phones Limited; assets of Cosmo 105.5FM, and 22 duplexes at Ebeano Estate (now Fidelity Estate).

    Others are Rainbownet’s shares in Zenith Bank and Guarantee Trust Bank, with a combined account balance of N4.6million; as well as monies in its bank accounts worth about N34.8million.

    The balances are in different accounts with GTBank (N313,700); Sterling Bank (N986,958); Ecobank (N24.5million); First City Monument Bank (N3.8million) and Zenith Bank (N761,156).

    EFCC said it is awaiting details of balances in Rainbownet’s 10 accounts with Access Bank.

    Rainbownet’s undeveloped properties forfeited include seven plots at Independence Layout; 567.96 Square meters (Sqm) at Abakpa; 574.96 Sqm at Emene and 2,951.98 Sqm at Achara Layout.

    Others to be forfeited include thousands of square metres of properties at Abia State, namely Ogbor Hill (914.633), Abayi (one and half plots), Port Harcourt Road (1,856.449), Ariaria (640.32), Umuagari (573.263) and Assannetu (954.396), as well as Abakiliki, Ebonyi State (one plot).

    Others are in Onitsha, Anambra State, such those at Barracks (one plot), Nkpor (1088.644), Awada (465.14), Fegge (one plot); as well as 2,200.06 square miles of land at Okpumo, Awka.

    The company is also to lose 693.636 square meters of undeveloped property located opposite the War Museum, Umuahia.

    Assets of Rainbownet Communications Limited, including Central Switch Room, Microwave Radio, Rectifier, Microwave Backhaul Transmission, among others at various locations in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo states are to be forfeited.

    The former senator was charged along with his former aide, Sunday Anyaogu, and six firms – Rainbownet, Hillgate Nigeria, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile Nig Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa later split Nnamani’s trial from his co-accused as he was abroad receiving treatment.

    EFCC re-arraigned them on 105 counts of money laundering and economic crimes involving about N4.5billion.

    Part of the alleged laundered money was from the Excess Crude Oil Funds meant for some local government areas, including Aninri, Enugu South, Agwu, Igbo Etiti and Isi Uzor, which was allegedly transferred to Nnamani’s bank account in the United States.

    The crime was allegedly committed while Nnamani was governor between 1999 and 2007. The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    However, after the trial was split, four of the companies on May 19 pleaded guilty to a 10-count amended charge through their counsel.

    The companies are Rainbownet, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile and Renaissance University Teaching Hospital.

    They were alleged to have failed to comply with lawful inquiry made by the Commission.

    On June 11, Justice Yunusa adjourned to July 7 for review of facts and sentences after EFCC’s lawyer Kelvin Uzozie told the court that he was still trying to get a list of all the companies’ assets.

    He prayed the court to convict the companies in view of their plea after tendering some documents, including the assets’ schedule.

    He also urged the court to make an order of the assets’ forfeiture, and for the commission to be involved in their management.

    The companies’ lawyer Mr Ifeanyi Ezeome, during the alucutus (plea for mercy), urged the court ‎temper justice with mercy since they were first offenders.

    Justice Yunusa, said a company can be treated as a natural person in law and held that: “It is hereby ordered that the properties listed in the schedule be forfeited to the Federal Government.”

    He adjourned till November 12 for the trial of the remaining accused persons.