Tobias Sylvester
The Senator representing Enugu East, Chimaroke Nnamani has denied report that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is looking for him over an alleged $41.8 million embezzlement.
Chimaroke Nnamani Denies Being On FBI Watchlist In US
A recent report claimed that the sum of $41.8 million got missing from the coffers of the Enugu State Government while Nnamani governed the state.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, Nnamani described the report as gossip, saying Enugu never had such an amount to be stolen or embezzled.
The Enugu lawmaker also denied reports that the FBI are looking for him, saying he had just returned to Nigeria after spending five weeks in his residence in the United States.
This was disclosed in a statement he personally signed, titled, “$41.8million Dollars: No Money Missed From Enugu Coffer… Sen Nnamani.”
He said, “I just returned after spending five weeks in the United States where I maintain a residence.
“I maintain a residence in America and just came back after five weeks. The FBI is not looking for me and no assets of mine have ever been seized in the United States.
“I never met or inherited the sum of $41.8 million as Governor. Enugu State of 1999 to 2007 did not have $41.8m to be stolen or embezzled.”
The Senator clarified that what his accusers were quoting was a mere complaint to the Department of Justice.
He said such complaints were associated with usual interim forfeiture, adding that “the interim forfeiture was discharged after Investigation and Judicial Review.”
He told his accusers to do something positive because accusing him falsely will not add value to anyone.
“If my recent political activities make some people uncomfortable, they should know that democracy is a matter of choice. It is an open field, you choose your lane to play. Everyone has a choice; I deserve the right to choose my lane. I do not expect people to infringe on my right of choice,” he said.
He said with the 2023 general elections fast approaching, politics should not be played with bitterness but a sense of responsibility and loyalty to the nation, pointing out that “all we strive for is a better Nigeria.”
