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Former Enugu Governor, Nnamani Denies Report Of $41.8Million Theft Against Him, Says ‘Political Foes’ Want To Silence Him

Former Enugu Governor, Nnamani Denies Report Of $41.8Million Theft Against Him, Says ‘Political Foes’ Want To Silence Him
October 4, 2022

The former governor described the story as fake, adding that it came about because of his opposing opinions on political issues in the country.

A former governor of Enugu state, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, has described reports of a $41.8 million judgement against him in the United States as cheap blackmail and a way of silencing his political views. 

The former governor described the story as fake, adding that it came about because of his opposing opinions on political issues in the country.

Nnamani, in a statement, said rather than be silent, his voice will grow stronger and more persistent.

He said: “My voice will grow louder and more persistent. I know my recent position will attract this attack by those who cannot tolerate alternative views. Democracy allows alternative viewpoints.

“If I cannot express my opinion and take a stand who will,” Nnamani said, describing the source of the report as a well-known blackmailer.

“I left Enugu state on a solid foundation 15 years ago. Records of our accomplishments is an open book. No amount of mudslinging can rewrite our history.

“I urge our people and Nigerians alike to ignore the mischievous report sponsored by political foes and professional blackmailers,” the former governor added.

Nnamani allegedly looted and laundered $41.8 million during his days as Enugu State governor and used the ill-gotten riches to acquire luxury assets in Florida, according to Peoples Gazette, quoting a statement submitted by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The FBI stated this in a forfeiture proceeding in court documents which were obtained by Peoples Gazette.

The 2009 complaint said Nnamani, whom the FBI described as an American citizen, connived with his sister Chinero Nwigwe to steal public funds when he led Enugu State between May 1999 and May 2007.

Peter Mbah, Sam Ejiofor and Chika Ohaa were also named in the court documents as Mr Nnamani’s co-conspirators.

The FBI said Nnamani, a medical doctor, stole $41.868,877.05 in one of several illicit schemes he pulled as Enugu governor. Authorities said the money was about N5.3 billion at the time, but it’s now worth around N31 billion.

The FBI had argued that “Chimaroke Nnamani’s official salary as governor is the equivalent of $10,670 per year; thus, it appears unlikely that Nnamani possesses an adequate source of legitimate income to account for the purchase” of the lush real estate he amassed in Florida.

Judge Williams Acker of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ordered forfeitures of Nnamani’s assets to the U.S. government after finding that the Nigerian politician was not earning enough as governor to justify the millions of dollars in his possession.

Nnamani opened 20 bank accounts with AmSouth Bank in Orlando, Florida, where he stashed his loot even while serving as governor and was fully aware that it was illegal to maintain bank accounts abroad as an elected public official in Nigeria.

Nnamani had set up a firm Rock City Group, LLC, to carry out the fraud, documents said.

Parts of the stolen funds were used to lock down posh assets in Florida, with authorities stating Nnamani paid $1.8 million in cash to buy his Heathrow residence.

“On February 22, 2007, Nnamani paid a total of $1,800,000 in cash” to buy a proper at 1972 Bridgewater Drive, Heathrow, Florida, filings said.

Following a lengthy trial that began in July 2007, Judge Acker granted the FBI’s request to forfeit all properties linked to Nnamani’s fraud to the U.S. government on May 13, 2009.

It was not immediately clear whether or not Nnamani’s successors tried to pursue repatriation of his loot to the state, which has less than N150 billion in an annual budget that is largely unfunded.

It was also unclear whether or not the FBI filed separate criminal charges against Nnamani, but the Nigerian politician had faced separate forfeiture proceedings in Nigeria and lost, especially in 2015 when a federal judge ordered forfeiture of some multibillion-naira assets linked to him in Nigeria.