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EFCC seals up Nnamani’s
companies’ premises
By AZOMA CHIKWE
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
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Photo:
The Sun Publishing |
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Anti-graft operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) on Monday sealed up the premises of Cosmo FM radio station,
Rainbownet Nigeria Ltd and other companies believed to be owned
by former Enugu State governor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani.
The action followed a directive by the Executive Chairman of the
commsision, Mrs. Farida Waziri, who was acting on reports that some
agents of the former governor had broken into the companies’
premises to take physical possession of the seized assets.
The properties were seized by the EFCC through a Lagos Federal High
Court order in May 2007 following the indictment of Nnamani over
alleged corruption and embezzlement of state funds to the tune of
N5.3 billion.
A statement by the commission on Monday denied media reports that
it had returned the seized companies to the former governor. “Indeed,
the companies were seized on the order of a Federal High Court,
Lagos in May 2007 and a reversal order obtained by the management
of the companies in Appeal Court, Enugu recently. Although the same
court held that the commission can exercise its powers over the
companies, the EFCC has, however, filed for a stay of execution
and an appeal against the unfavourable aspect of the judgment,”
the statement said.
“While the issues were still being sorted out in court, reports
had it that some agents of the owners of the companies broke in
to take possession of the premises. The criminal aspect of that
had since been reported to the police to investigate while after
proper briefing, the EFCC chairman last week directed operatives
to seal up the premises, an order that was effectively carried out
on Monday after all necessary security arrangement had been put
in place,” the statement added.
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