http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200702092233470
Friday, 9 Feb 2007
Governor on trial for owning 172 houses
Tobi Soniyi


The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, was on Thursday charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja for allegedly owning about 172 houses.

Others taken to the tribunal were governors Sam Egwu (Ebonyi) and George Akume (Benue).

The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. David Mzenda, was also charged before the tribunal.

The four public officers are said to have acquired properties that far exceeded their legitimate incomes.

Their alleged offences contravene Section 10 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 LFN 2004.

The three governors bring to eight, the number of serving and former state chief executives charged before the tribunal.

Governor Rashidi Ladoja(Oyo); Orji Kalu(Abia); Saminu Turaki (Jigawa);former governors Joshua Dariye(Plateau); and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa), had been charged before the tribunal.

But out of the four suspects, Nnamani is accused of owning about 172 houses.

Nnamani, according to the charge sheets made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, is charged with acquiring properties in Nigeria and overseas.

The release of the charge sheets came just as the Enugu state governor was named among a new set of politicians to appear before a special panel raised by the Federal government to defend allegations of corruption against them.

Listed as properties owned Nnamani are:

- One house at 2, Mount Street, Government Reservation Area, Enugu; - one house at 4, Mount Street,GRA;

- A house on 15B, Park Avenue built for his mother-in-law(Ada Kanu); - Golf Course Estate with 38 completed houses and seven uncompleted ones;

- A house on 2, Forest Close, Enugu;

- 45 buildings at Old Trade Fair Area Estate;

- A house on 9, Savage Crescent;

- One building on 6, Bent Avenue;

- 48 houses at the proposed new trade fair site;

- 15 houses at the Ebeano Housing Estate, New Haven;

- Two houses behind secretariat.

- A building at 35, B. F.C. Abakaliki Road built for Mrs. Chinero Nnamani Nwaigwe, his sister;

- Two government buildings taken over when his father died at Abakaliki Lane and four other buildings;

- A N2bn country home in Agbani;

- A house at 5, Akpan Achara Layout, Enugu;

- Plot CR 11, Golf Course Layout, Enugu;

- Plot Q1, Independence Layout Enugu;

- A building at 10, Oweeri Ezukah Street, opposite Enugu Government House;

- A duplex at 1 A Abakaliki Lane;

- A house at Colliery Avenue, off Okpara Avenue, GRA;

A building at 43/45, Park Avenue, off Okpara Avenue, GRA;

- A building at 24/26, Park Avenue, GRA;

- Houses at 1 and 2, Onitsha Road;

- A building at 51, Savage Crescent, Enugu;

- Hectares of land belonging to former Enugu Zoological Garden acquired by the governor.

In count two, Nnamani is accused of failing to declare ownership of Rainbownet Nig. Ltd; Capital City Automobiles Limited; Cosmos 105.5 FM Mea Mater Elizabeth School; Renaissance University Teaching Hospital; and Hillgate Limited.

Egwu is charged with two counts. The counts read: ”That you, Egwu, being a public officer as listed in part II of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution and currently the governor of Ebonyi State 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 N50m.

“That you, Egwu, being a public officer as listed in Part II of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, acquired the under-mentioned properties over and above your legitimate means:

- A five-star hotel named Grace Court Hotel at Abakaliki; and

- High Hope International School valued at over N350m acquired through a proxy.

Akume is also accused of making a false declaration of his assets between May 1999 to date by failing to declare the under- listed:

- Property located at Milton Kings. London valued at 100,000.00 pounds acquired through a proxy in 2001;

- Property named HAF Haven Hotel at Atiku Abubakar Road, Makurdi estimated at N300m

Count two of the charges against Akume reads, “That you, Akume, being a public officer acquired properties in Nigeria and outside the shores of Nigeria over and above your legitimate income contrary to Section 10 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. Cap C15 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 23 of same Act.”

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:

- Account and shares in a commercial bank; and

- Three 2 -bedroom apartments at 84, Nyima Layout, Makurdi,

The charges will be formally read on February 14, 2007.

Thursday was a bad day for Nnamani as his name appeared on the list of another set of Nigerians to appear before the administrative panel of inquiry set up on Wednesday to probe allegations of corrupt practices against them.

Other top politicians on the list, released in Abuja, are governors Bola Tinubu(Lagos); Ali Modu Sherrif(Borno) and Ibrahim Shekarau(Kano).

A former Minister of Defence, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rotimi Chibuke Amaechi, Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso; Ahmed Yusuf ; Abubakar Habu Hashidu; Danladi Baido; and Bello Gwandu are also on the list.

Usman Albishir; Isa Yuguda; Nimi Barigha Amange; Mumini Abavomi Nurain; Kabiru Ibrahim Gava; Aminu Sule Garo; Yakubu Datti; Anthonia Tabansi-Okoye; Nwosu B. Chucks; Abdullahi Abubakar Bakari; Chile Igbawua; Mumini Mafindi; Emmanuel Bello; Abbas Braimoh; and Nandam Bako will also appear before the panel.

Others are Bello Mohammed Matawalle; Abubakar Shehu Bunu; Muktar Ahmed Anka; Joel O. Dikanwa; Samuel S. Damla; Victor N. Lapang; Abubakar M. Kanam; Pam D. Dong; Ndukwe Louis Ogugua; Bello Makau Ruwan Doruwa; Isah Namadi Kasuwar Daji; Peter A. Azi; Kabiru Sahabi Liman; Garba Bawa Rawavya; Sani Musa Talata Mafara; and Dahiru Salisu;

The rest are Lawali Suleiman Adafka; Ibrahim Waziri; Mohammed Abdullahi Abba; Jilantikiri Sinamai; Emmanuel A. Jugul; Marafa Bashir Abba; Mrs. Patricia Ajudua;Yusuf Ibrahim Nahwai; Kassong Santi Nelson; Haruna Istifanus Sana; Virginia Saba Bambur; Irmiya Ibrahim; Hammanjulde; Ahmed Mohammed; Theresa Wanu; Paul Tairo; and Humprey Azubuke. A statement by the panel‘s secretary Alhaji Ahmed Yola, directed all the affected persons to appear before the panel at the conference room of the Secretary to the Federal Government on Saturday.

It advised any of the invitees who needs further information to call 0802 857 0294, 0803 768 3571, and 0805 1747 317

The panel had on Wednesday summoned 27 politicians, including the Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, to appear before it on Friday(today).

I read this not too long ago myself.

I kind of have a hard time believing that Nnamani owns 172 houses (they all seem to be located in Enugu State).

Its just unbelieveable. Anyway, lets see what others have to say about this.

These house are truly his. He built an estate and colonized all the buildings. Ebeano estate houses his company Rainbownet, and COSMO FM.

My brother, I think he owns a lot, including the properties you mentioned, but 172 houses ? Haba.

If it is really true, then I am speechless.

I know alot about his acquisitions. They failed to mention Marlum Engineering company that he is using as a front. Rainbownet alone is worth billions of naira.

172 houses for only one person in the same State , A typical Nigerian Leader.

He should face the full wrath of law!Simple.Glaring thievery and corruption, no wonder he's been quite of late!

To God be glory.

the man is a fighter- trust me.

Would see how it plays out!

Dualization of new heaven road

Building of ultra modern ESUT teaching hospital

Permanent site of ESUT

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

acquisition of 172 houses
misappropriation of LG fund
Killing of sunday ugwu
Raibownet
Cosmo FM
Marlum construction company
Rennaisance University
Mea elizabeth meater secondary school

TO CHIMAROKE BE THE GLORY

YOU SUCKERS ARE CONFUSED AND A BUNCH OF FOOLS.YOUR BRAINS WERE WASHED BY A MERE HALF PAGE AND SOME FULL PAGES IN SOME MAGAZINES.
HOW CAN A GOVERNOR OWN 172 HOUSES?USE YOUR BRAINS! FOMERLY,YOUR INFORMANTS SAID THEY WERE 200 HOUSES,NOW ITS 172.
MY ADVICE IS BEFORE U SPILL SHIT ON THIS FORUM,CONDUCT YOUR OWN INVESTIGATIONS,DONT BE A RUMOUR MONGER! PENT AVENUE DOES NOT EXIST IN ENUGU NEITHER DOES FOREST CLOSE NOR THEM OTHER HOUSES.WHY ARE THE HOUSES ALWAYS NO 2 AND NO 4?USE YOUR SENSES FELLOW NIGERIANS.I AINT TRYING TO DEFEND ANYONE BUT DONT DISCREDIT ANYONE'S NAME JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT LIKE HIM OR BECAUSE YOU WERE PAID TO DO SO.WE NEED FACTS ON THIS FORUM NOT SENTIMENTS FROM SOME NEWSPAPER REPORTER TRYING TO SELL HIGH STORY!
HOW MANY OF YOU ON THIS FORUM HAVE EVER FOLLOWED THE ACTIVITIES OF THOSE BLUE CHIP COMPANIES YOU ARE MENTIONING TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE ACTUALLY OWNED BY NNAMANI OR NOT.AS FOR THOSE COMPANIES,THEY HAVE BEEN CLEARED BY EFCC AND THE LAW COURTS AND HERE YOU SUCKERS ARE SEATED TYPING SHIT! WHEN LAST DID YOU HEAR FROM THE CODE OF CONDUCT TRIBUNAL?PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL DO WORSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THAT SEAT! THOSE COMPANIES ARE A-CLASS COMPANIES,THATS WHY EVERYBODY IS LIKE THE GOVERNOR OWNS THEM, !
MOST OF YOU YELLING SHIT ARE COSMO FANS,DAMNED HYPOCRITES LIKE YOU.
GIVE CONFIRMED FACTS NOT NEWSPAPER PAGES!!!

all this is piece of cake compared with the doings of Lucky Igbinedion and his family. Doesnt make it any better or less important though.

This can not be true, owning 172 houses in one state. I think Chimaroke is wiser than this, no property outside Nigeria and not even in the big cities of the country.

Please we are not ready for any news but for facts and if the media or the informant are not ready to feed us with the truth, they better leave us alone oooooooo

while i am in no way saying that the report is true, it is very possible. I know of a man who has more than this number of houses in Benin. Not the ex gov by the way.

I am not saying it can't be possible for a man to owned more than that in a state but any man in the seat of govt that does that must be insane, as he forgotten that he will be probe? at least this is not his money he should use it in a way that he can not easily be pick up or was he thinking that he is above the law?

@Steeve,

Have you forgotten that a lot of Nigerians prefer to dwell on rumours and gossips than to dwell on facts?

It is all about sensationalizing issues, go through this forum and see that the most active threads are those that dwell on irrelevant issues because when core issues come up quite a number of users disappear or attempt to turn the thread into a personal bashing one.

Chimaroke Nnamani performed better than a lot of governors and Enugu State came first in a study carried out by over 8 foreign ministers from the EU (not that I care about what the foreigners think anyway because we see these things ourselves) based on infrastructural development.

@Afam

U'd have done better by listing these Chimaroke Nnamani achievements.
Right now u're not sounding any better than those u're accusing of peddling rumors n' half-truths.
_{No disrespect intended.}

Beline:

This can not be true, owning 172 houses in one state. I think Chimaroke is wiser than this, no property outside Nigeria and not even in the big cities of the country.

Please we are not ready for any news but for facts and if the media or the informant are not ready to feed us with the truth, they better leave us alone oooooooo

Do not be decieved. Chi-boy like some of our leaders had a mental case in the past, though he was treated; I don't know if he was properly rehabilitated. So nothing is impossible.

Chi-boy has not denied that he owns those properties, I am privy to EFCC source. He agreed to part with these properties if it can save him from going to jail.

STEEVE:
YOU SUCKERS ARE CONFUSED AND A BUNCH OF FOOLS.YOUR BRAINS WERE WASHED BY A MERE HALF PAGE AND SOME FULL PAGES IN SOME MAGAZINES.
HOW CAN A GOVERNOR OWN 172 HOUSES?USE YOUR BRAINS! FOMERLY,YOUR INFORMANTS SAID THEY WERE 200 HOUSES,NOW ITS 172.
MY ADVICE IS BEFORE U SPILL SHIT ON THIS FORUM,CONDUCT YOUR OWN INVESTIGATIONS,DONT BE A RUMOUR MONGER! PENT AVENUE DOES NOT EXIST IN ENUGU NEITHER DOES FOREST CLOSE NOR THEM OTHER HOUSES.WHY ARE THE HOUSES ALWAYS NO 2 AND NO 4?USE YOUR SENSES FELLOW NIGERIANS.I AINT TRYING TO DEFEND ANYONE BUT DONT DISCREDIT ANYONE'S NAME JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT LIKE HIM OR BECAUSE YOU WERE PAID TO DO SO.WE NEED FACTS ON THIS FORUM NOT SENTIMENTS FROM SOME NEWSPAPER REPORTER TRYING TO SELL HIGH STORY!
HOW MANY OF YOU ON THIS FORUM HAVE EVER FOLLOWED THE ACTIVITIES OF THOSE BLUE CHIP COMPANIES YOU ARE MENTIONING TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE ACTUALLY OWNED BY NNAMANI OR NOT.AS FOR THOSE COMPANIES,THEY HAVE BEEN CLEARED BY EFCC AND THE LAW COURTS AND HERE YOU SUCKERS ARE SEATED TYPING SHIT! WHEN LAST DID YOU HEAR FROM THE CODE OF CONDUCT TRIBUNAL?PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL DO WORSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THAT SEAT! THOSE COMPANIES ARE A-CLASS COMPANIES,THATS WHY EVERYBODY IS LIKE THE GOVERNOR OWNS THEM, !
MOST OF YOU YELLING SHIT ARE COSMO FANS,DAMNED HYPOCRITES LIKE YOU.
GIVE CONFIRMED FACTS NOT NEWSPAPER PAGES!!!

He who calls another a fool shall be in danger of hell. Matthew 5 :22