The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Center) has called on the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), to take necessary proactive steps and begin the process to repatriate the seized illicit funds as well as forfeited assets linked to former Enugu State governor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, by the United States Government.

In a letter signed by the Chairman of HEDA, Olanrenwaju Suraju, the anti-corruption civil society organization charged the Minister to consider the financial state of Nigeria and Enugu State and how the recovery of the funds would aid the development of the country in general and Enugu State in particular.

“Knowing full well that the funds used by Mr. Nnamani to purchase the forfeited properties were stolen from the coffers of Enugu State and belong to the people of Enugu State, we kindly request your office to commence the process of recovery of the forfeited properties from the United States Government for the benefit of Enugu State and its people,” Suraju urged the Minister.

Recall that an online news outlet, Peoples Gazette, on October 4, 2022 reported that the former Enugu State Governor, Mr. Chimaroke Nnamani, connived with his sister Chinero Nwigwe, to loot public funds when he led Enugu State as governor between 1999 and 2007.

According to FBI claims, Mr. Nnamani allegedly stole $41,868,877.05 in one of several illicit schemes and in February, 2007 paid a sum of $1,800,00 in cash to buy a property at 1972, Bridgewater, Heathrow, Florida, USA. Meanwhile, U.S court in May 2009, ordered the FBI to seize about $1 million stolen by Senator Chimaroke Nnamani and granted FBI's request to forfeit all properties linked to Mr. Nnamani's fraud to the US government.

The letter further reads: “Court documents obtained by Peoples gazette said Mr. Nnamani pilfered the illicit funds through eight Nigerian banks, including Standard Chartered Bank, Fidelity Bank, Sterling Bank and since-defunct Platinum Habib Bank (PHB), to the U.S AmSouth Bank (now Region Bank), where Mr. Nnamani had previously opened 20 accounts with Chinero Nwigwe, his sister and alleged co-conspirator.”

“We believe your office is saddled and empowered to recover and repatriate recovered stolen assets back to the country and charge you and the ministry to take necessary proactive steps and begin the process of recovery of this humongous stolen amount from the United States Government.”

The non-partisan Human Rights and Development league under the chairmanship of Suraju reiterated its resolve to protect and promote universally recognized human rights, public accountability, transparency and environmental justice in Nigeria and Africa, in accordance with international best standards.

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