The trial of former Enugu State Governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani and five of his former aides began afresh yesterday. They were re-arraigned at the Federal High Court, Lagos, before a new judge.

Nnamani, now a serving Senator and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has been on trial since 2007 for offences allegedly bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of public funds estimated at N5.5 billion.

He is being tried with his former Finance Commissioner, Peter Mba, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Sam Ejiofor and three other principal officials in his administration. They include Victor Udeh, Sunday Onyekazu-Anyaogwu and Sylvia Onwuebemeli, a Permanent Secretary in the state’s civil service.

Also charged with them are six companies believed to be owned by the former Governor. They include Rainbownet Nig Ltd, Hillgate Nig Ltd, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile Nig Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

Yesterday, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty when a 124-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was read to them.

They were rearraigned before Justice Charles Achibong due to the transfer of the case from the former trial judge, Justice Tijani Abubakar, who had since been transferred out of the Lagos division of the court.

Before yesterday, Justice Achibong had directed the EFCC to streamline the court with a view to reducing the counts, a directive the prosecution said was not applicable in view of the fact that all the 124 counts were relevant.

Their alleged offences include conspiracy, money laundering, collaboration to conceal the genuine origin of some diverted funds, concealment, illegal transfer of public funds to foreign accounts to which Nnamani and his sister, Chinelo Nwigwe are sole signatories.

Other alleged offences are that Nnamani failed to disclose the true ownership of some assets later traced to him and the failure of the six companies to subject their books of account and records for scrutiny by the EFCC, an offence punishable under Section 38 (2) of the EFCC Act 2004.

Upon oral application by defence lawyers, including Rickey Tarfa (SAN), Onyiyechi Ipeazu (SAN), Tony Ugboji and Nnamdi Oragwu, the court allowed the accused person to remain on the bail earlier granted them by Justice Abubakar.

Justice Achibong adjourned to January 25 for the hearing of an application by Onwuebemeli, challenging the competence of the charge against her, following which trial is expected to begin.

Source:28/10/2010,Nigeria independent.