Nnamani’s Corruption Trial Adjourned To Jan. 19

Corruption trial of former Enugu State Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani has be adjourned by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

A charge of money laundering preffered against him and others was on Thursday, adjourned until Jan.19, 2018.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Nnamani alongside his former aide, Sunday Anyaogu, over N4.5 billion money laundering.

Also charged are six firms namely Rainbownet Nig. Ltd, Hillgate Nig. Ltd, Cosmo FM, Capital City Automobile Nig. Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

The ex-governor and his co-accused were said to have allegedly lodged the laundered sum, in a secret account, with the aim of concealing its source.

Justice Chuka Obiozor had on Dec. 4, issued a bench warrant for the arrest and production of Nnamani in court, to answer to the charges against him.

The court had issued the orders following the absence of the accused in court.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday, Nnamani’s lawyer, Mr Abubakar Samusudeen informed the court of an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

His application which was brought pursuant to sections 6(6) and 36 of the constitution, is seeking a declaration that the court lacked jurisdiction to determine the offences contained in charge No. FHC/L/90c/07.

In his response to Nnamani’s application, the prosecutor, Mr Kelvin Uzozie, told the court that he was just served with the application, by defence counsel, adding that he required time to respond.

He prayed for a short adjournment.

Justice Obiozor, consequently, adjourned the case until Jan. 19, for hearing of Nnamani’s application as well as to take the plea of the accused.

Nnamani was earlier arraigned before Justice Tijani Abubakar and re-arraigned before Justice Charles Archibong when Tijani Abubakar was elevated to court of appeal and later re-arraigned before Mohammed Yinusa when Justice Archibong retired.

The former governor was re -arraigned on a 105-count charge of money laundering and economic crime to the tune of N4.5 billion.

The case has just been reassigned to Obiozor to start afresh.

According to the commission, their alleged offence contravened the provisions of the Money laundering (Prohibition) Act, and the EFCC Act, 2004.

(NAN)