The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the arrest of former Enugu State Governor Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani.
Justice Chuka Obiozor issued a bench warrant for his arrest after Nnamani failed to turn up for his re-arraignment.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) first arraigned Nnamani 10 years ago on 105 counts of alleged money laundering and economic crimes involving about N4.5 billion state funds.
M. Bamidele, said his law firm got notice of the hearing six days earlier, and that it was too short for Nnamani to return.
EFCC’s lawyer Kevin Uzozie urged the court to order the former governor’s arrest for failing to turn up.
But, Nnamani’s lawyer Abubakar Shamsudeen said the former governor was “severely sick” and “bedridden” in a hospital in the United States (U.S.).
Ruling, Justice Obiozor noted that there was no evidence showing that Nnamani was sick as claimed.
“In the absence of any evidence, it is hereby ordered that a bench warrant be issued for the arrest of the defendant and for summons to be issued for the sureties to show cause.”
The case has been handled by Justices Tijani Abubakar, Charles Archibong (retd) and Mohammed Yunusa, who was eventually transferred and subsequently retired.
The former governor was charged along with his former aide, Sunday Anyaogu, and six firms – Rainbownet Nig Ltd, Hillgate Nig Ltd, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile Nig Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.
EFCC arraigned them on 105 counts of alleged money laundering and economic crimes involving about N4.5 billion state funds.
The court had ordered the forfeiture of multi-billion naira assets allegedly belonging to Nnamani.
Justice Obiozor adjourned till December 14.
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