Politics
By Anthony Isibor
SENATOR Chimaroke Nnamani, former Gov. of Enugu State has dismissed the allegation by Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA, accusing him of having his ‘assets and illicit funds’ seized by the FBI as false.
Reacting to the allegations by HEDA, Sen. Nnamani told Realnews today, Tuesday, 11 October 2022 that he never had a case with the FBI.
He noted that the FBI has never seized his property and described the claims as untrue and totally fabricated by HEDA.
Similarly, in a statement which was also made available to Realnews on Tuesday, the former Gov. described the United States $41.8m dollars judgments against him as cheap blackmail.
He said the report was fake news and targeted at maligning him because of his alternative views on the recent political development in the country.
According to the statement, Sen. Nnamani urged the people of Enugu State and Nigerians alike to ignore the mischievous report sponsored by political foes and professional blackmailers.
Part of the statement read:
“There was no such judgement anywhere . The author of the fake news Samuel Ogundipe is a known blackmailer . The story of Samuel Ogundipe with the Air peace airline is still fresh In our memories. I’m not surprised that Ogundipe has offered himself as a willing tool for this hatchet job once again.
“I left Enugu state on a solid foundation 15 years ago. Records of our accomplishments are an open book. No amount of mudslinging can rewrite our history.
“If I cannot express my opinion and take a stand, who will.” he added.
Recall that HEDA had quoted the FBI claims that Nnamani allegedly stole $41,868,877.05 in one of several illicit schemes and in February, 2007 paid a sum of $1,800,00 in cash to buy a property at 1972, Bridgewater, Heathrow, Florida, USA.
It also alleged that the U.S court in May 2009, ordered the FBI to seize about $1 million stolen by Senator Chimaroke Nnamani and granted FBI’s request to forfeit all properties linked to Nnamani’s fraud to the US Government.
Consequently, Olanrenwaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA had in a letter called on the minister of justice and attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami SAN, to take necessary proactive steps and begin the process to repatriate the seized illicit funds as well as forfeited assets linked to Senator Nnamani by the United State Government.
Suraju, in the letter had charged the minister to consider the financial state of Nigeria and Enugu State and how the recovery of the funds will aid the development of Nigeria and Enugu State.
The letter further reads, “Court documents obtained by Peoples Gazette said Nnamani pilfered the illicit funds through eight Nigerian banks, including Standard Chartered Bank, Fidelity Bank, Sterling Bank and since-defunct Platinum Habib Bank, PHB, to the U.S AmSouth Bank (now Region Bank), where Nnamani had previously opened 20 accounts with Chinero Nwigwe, his sister and alleged co-conspirator.
“We believe your office is saddled and empowered to recover and repatriate recovered stolen assets back to the country and charge you and the ministry to take necessary proactive steps and begin the process of recovery of this humongous stolen amount from the United States Government.”
A.I
Tags: Abubakar Malami SAN HEDA Olanrenwaju Suraju Samuel Ogundipe SENATOR Chimaroke Nnamani
