Posted by By GODWIN TSA Abuja on
Three State Governors, Dr. George Akume of Benue State, Dr. Sam Egwu of Ebonyi and Chief Ogbonnaya Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State respectively, have been charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal by the Federal Government over alleged corruption and non-declaration of their assets.
Three State Governors, Dr. George Akume of Benue State, Dr. Sam Egwu of Ebonyi and Chief Ogbonnaya Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State respectively, have been charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal by the Federal Government over alleged corruption and non-declaration of their assets.
Charged along with the governors on similar offence is the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. David Mzenda.
The case against the Benue State governor is that he allegedly made false declaration of his assets between May 1999 to date by failing to declare the under listed properties:
(i)Purchase of property located at Milton Keynes, London, UK in the value of 100,000 pounds in 2001 by proxy:
(ii)Property named HAF Haven Hotel at Atiku Abubakar Road Makurdi, estimated at N300 million naira.
The offence is said to be contrary to section 15 (1) (2) (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act cap C15 LFN. 2004 and punishable under section 23 of same Act as incorporated under paragraph 18 part one of the fifth schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The second charge against Akume reads in part:
'That you Dr. George Akume, being a Public Officer as listed in Part II of the fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution and presently the Governor of Benue State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and having subscribed to the oath of office as contained in the Seventh Schedule to the 1999 Constitution acquired properties in Nigeria and outside the shores of Nigeria over and above your legitimate income and earnings contrary to Section 10 of Code of Conduct bureau and Tribunal Act. Cap C15 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 23 of same Act as incorporated under Paragraph 18. Part one fifth schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
Governor Nnamani on the other hand is charged with acquiring properties in Nigeria and overseas above his legitimate income and earnings contrary to section 10 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 LFN 2004 and punishable under section 3 of the same Act.
Similarly, he is accused of making a false declaration of his assets by failing to declare the under listed properties: (i) One house at No. 2 Mount Street GRA (ii) A House at No. 4 Mount Street (iii) No. 15B Park Avenue built for (Ada Nkanu) his mother-in-law (iv) Golf Course Estate, 38 houses completed and 7 uncompleted. (v) No. 2 Forest Close- One house. (vi) On Forest Close- One house, (vii) Old Trade Fair Area Estate, 45 buildings in all, (viii) No. 9 Savage Crescent (ix) No. 6 Bent Avenue, one building
(x) proposed new trade fair site- 48 houses in all (xi) Ebeano Housing Estate, New Haven-15 houses
(xii) Two houses behind secretariat to the government lodge. (Xiii) No. 35 B. F.C. Abakaliki Road built for Mrs. Chinero Nnamani Nwaigwe, his sister. (xiv) No1 to 6 Abakaliki Lane, containing two government buildings taken over when his father died and an additional 4 buildings built by you.
(xv) A N2 billion country home at Agbani (xvi) House No 5 Akpan Achara Layout, Enugu (xvii) Plot CR 11 Golf Course Layout, Enugu (xviii)
Plot Q1 Independence Layout Enugu (xix) House No 10
Oweeri Ezukah Street, Opposite Enugu Government House
(xx)A duplex house at No. 1 A Abakaliki Lane Enugu
(xxi)House No 2 and No 5 Colliery Avenue, off Okpara
Avenue, GRA, Enugu (xxii) House No. 43/45 Park Avenue, off Okpara Avenue GRA, Enugu (xxiii) House No. 24/26, Park Avenue, GRA, Enugu (xxiv) House No 1and House No 2 in Onitsha Road, Enugu (xxv) House No 51 Savage Crescent, Enugu (xxvi) Hectares of land belonging to former Enugu Zoological Garden acquired by the governor.
He is also accused of failure to declare the following companies:
(i)Rainbownet Nig. Ltd (ii) Capital City Automobiles Limited, Enugu (iii) Cosmos 105.5 FM Digital Radio station, Enugu (iv) Mea Mater Elizabeth School, Agban (v) Renaissance University Teaching Hospital, Enugu and Hillgate Limited.
In the case of Governor Sam Egwu, who is also facing a two-count charge of corrupt practices and non-declaration of assets.
The counts read:
'That you Dr. Sam Egwu, being a Public Officer as listed in part II of the fifth schedule to the 1999 Constitution and presently the governor of Ebonyi State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and having subscribed to the oath of office as contained in the Seventh Schedule to the 1999 Constitution made a false declaration of your Assets between May 1999 to date by failing to declare a duplex building in your Country home valued at N50 million.
'That you Dr. Sam Egwu being a Public Officer as listed in Part II of the fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution and presently the Governor of Ebonyi State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and having subscribed to the oath of office as contained in the Seventh Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, acquired the under mentioned properties over and above your legitimate means;
i. A 5 star hotel named Grace Court Hotel at Abakaliki; and
ii. High Hope International School valued at over N350 million acquired by proxy." The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly is accused of making a false declaration of his assets between May 2003 till date by failing to declare the under listed properties viz:
i. Account and shares acquired at Oceanic Bank:
ii. Three sets of 2 Bedroom apartments at No. 84, Nyima layout. Makurdi.
The charges will be formally read on the February 14, 2007.