Court Sends Nnamani, Others Back To Prison

16.02.2008

Former Enugu State Governor, Dr. Chimanroke Nnamani, arraigned in Lagos last year on allegations of money laundering and diversion of public funds, lost his freedom again yesterday as a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered his remand in prison custody. Also sent to prison were five former aides to Dr. Nnamani (now a senator) who are being tried on a 124-count criminal charge recently filed by the EFCC and six firms believed to be owned by the ex-Governor.

The five, who were senior officials in Nnamani’s administration, included Peter Mbah, Sam Ejiofor, Victor Udeh, Sunday Anyaogu and Sylvia Onwubuemeli.

The court’s order on the accused’s remand, which invalidates an earlier bail granted them, was informed by the court’s realisation that the security on which they were released had been withdrawn by the accused.

A Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Peter Olayiwola, had last August granted bail to Nnamani, Anyaogu, Onwubuemeli and the six firms who were arraigned before him on a charge that was later withdrawn by their prosecuting agency, EFCC.