by Oge Okonkwo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared three aides of former governor of Enugu state, Chimaroke Nnamani, wanted. The trio of Jude Benjamin Amanze, Chinelo Nwigwe and David Nwigwe, following an arrest warrant issued by Justice M. N. Yunusa of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

They are wanted by the EFCC in connection with the case instituted against the ex-governor, Dr. Nnamani over an alleged diversion of public funds and embezzlement of billions Naira, when he was still governor of the state from years 1999 to 2007.

The sum of N514,833,564.60 (Five Hundred and Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Four Naira, Sixty Kobo) belonging to Enugu state government was alleged to have been siphoned by Mr. Benjamin Amanze, who served as special aide to the governor.

PM news reports:

Investigation by the Commission revealed that a road construction contract awarded to one Chief Jacob Nwatu between 2002 – 2003 was not executed.

Yet, N514,833,564.60 was paid for the contract, which was traced to the Zenith Bank Account of Chief Nwatu.
Further investigations revealed that a sum of N350,000,000 was latter moved from this account into three Zenith Bank accounts operated solely by Jude Amanze.

Amanze was also said to have warehoused other funds in the said Zenith Bank accounts which were disbursed either directly to or for the benefit of persons connected with the former governor, his companies or associates.

Efforts by the Commission to get Amanze and the two other suspects whose evidences are vital in the case to report to the Commission and answer questions have been unsuccessful. They are believed to have fled the country for some safe haven abroad.

The EFCC implores anybody having useful information as to their whereabouts to contact the Commission in its Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices or through these numbers: 09-4604620, 070-26350721,070-26350722,070-26350723,070-6350724, 070-26350725 ; or e-mail address: [email protected] or the nearest Police Station.