EFCC detains MP over alleged money laundering

EFCC detains MP over alleged money laundering
Uche Iheanacho, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the former Governor of Enugu State and current Senator, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani over a fresh case of corruption.

The anti-graft agency’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi said this while addressing reports on the arrest of the Senator.

Nnamani was arrested on Tuesday and is expected to be charged on Thursday.

He is being detained and questioned over an alleged 5.5 billion Naira money laundering allegation.

Charges
 
The commission is currently prosecuting the former governor on a multiple count charge of fraud, embezzlement and misappropriation of Enugu State government funds while he was governor of the state. A Federal High Court in Lagos had granted him bail in that trial.

Meanwhile, our correspondent also learned that the anti-graft agency had invited the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole for questioning following a petition accusing him of unilaterally obtaining a loan on behalf of the House without the approval of the House.

Bankole was asked to meet with EFCC investigators at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday according to a letter of invitation sent to his office.
It could be recalled that members of the Youth Anti-Corruption League (YACL) had stormed the office of the commission in Abuja after a protest march to submit a petition against Bankole and request the assistance of the commission in unravelling the role played by the Speaker in the unauthorized loan and misappropriation of same.

The petition was received by the EFCC Director of Operations, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, who assured the protesters that the commission would thoroughly look into the matter.

The petition signed by YACL President, Jumoke Ilyasu, and Secretary, Bello Saleh said:  
“We are aware that your commission has received several petitions against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, about the 2.3 billion Naira car scam arising from the purchase of 407 Peugeot cars for the House of Representatives sometime in 2008.

“We are further aware that certain members of the progressives group of legislators submitted a petition against him on abuse of due process and corrupt practices associated with Nine billion Naira capital budget of the House for 2008/2009sessions and to the best of our knowledge, no visible action had been taken against him upon any of the petition.

The group therefore called on the EFCC to enforce the anti-corruption policy of the Nigerian government by arresting and prosecuting him.

“He must be made to account for his excesses.  EFCC must not allow the Nigerian people to believe that certain category of Nigerians are above the law,” the petitioners added.

Williams