Thursday, 28 October 2010

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/12758-3

Former governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, was, on Wednesday, re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 124-count charge of alleged money laundering at a Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Charles Archibong.

The former governor, who was arraigned alongside some former commissioners in his administration and some of his companies, is currently standing trial over alleged money laundering and economic crime to the tune of about N5 billion.

Some of the other accused standing trial with Nnamani include former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Sam Ejiofor and a consultant to the state government, Victor Udeh, Sunday Anyaogu and a permanent secretary in the Enugu State Civil Service, Sylvia Onwuebemeli.

Six firms linked to the ex-governor are also being prosecuted. They are Rainbownet Nig Ltd, Hillgate Nig Ltd, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile Nig Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the new charge was read to all the accused and they pleaded not guilty to all.

In the meantime, a permanent secretary in the Enugu State Civil Service, Sylvia Onwuebemeli, who is standing trial alongside the former governor, has asked the court to remove her name from the charge.

The permanent secretary, in a motion on notice before Justice Archibong, argued that the proof of evidence filed by the EFCC did not support the allegation against her and that there was no link between her and the counts.