Posted by By ADESINA AIYEKOTI on
Former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State and 11 (eleven) others, Friday pleaded not guilty to the 124 criminal charges bordering on money laundering, just as a Federal High Court dismissed the applications brought by them seeking the order to quash the charges.
Former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State and 11 (eleven) others, Friday pleaded not guilty to the 124 criminal charges bordering on money laundering, just as a Federal High Court dismissed the applications brought by them seeking the order to quash the charges.
The trial judge, Justice Tijani Abubakar, of the Lagos High Court, described the arguments canvassed by the accused persons through their counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Mr. Ricky Tarfa (SAN), leading other lawyers as an 'academic exercise.
Others charged with the former chief executive now a senator, for allegations of laundering over N5 billion belonging to various local governments in the state, included a former Commissioner of Finance, Peter Mbah, Sam Ejiofor, Victor Udeh, Sunday Anyaogu and Nnamani's ex-Chief of Staff, Sylvia Onwubuemeli.
Others are Rainbownet Nig. Ltd, Hillgate Nig. Ltd, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile (Nig) Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Inter Mater Elizabeth High School.
The accused persons had earlier prayed the court to quash the charges against them, because it was on abuse of court process.
They hinged their arguments on the ground that a similar charges had been filed before another court, presided over by Justice Peter Olayiwola.
But in his ruling, Justice Abubakar, while upholding the submission of the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) noted that the charges being complained about by the accused persons had earlier been struck out by his learned brother, Olayiwola.
Following their pleas of not guilty, the trial judge ruled that each of the accused persons should continue the former bail granted them.
The accused persons were alleged to have conspired among themselves to launder the funds belonging to Enugu State Government Statutory Association.
Further trial has been fixed for May 23, 2008.