=N=5 BILLION FRAUD: CHIMAROKE NNAMANI'S CO-ACCUSED PLEAD GUILTY TO AMMENDED CHARGES

Four of the six companies standing trial with former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, accused of five billion naira money laundering have pleaded guilty to ammended charges in relation to the offence.
The four companies include, Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile Nigeria Limited and Renaissance University Teaching Hospital. They all pleaded guilty on Tuesday following their re-arraignment on ammended 10-count.
The move to plead guilty is to save their assets being eroded since the case had made no progress since 2007 when it commenced.
The four companies are being prosecuted separately from Governor Chimaroke Nnamani by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Apart from the four companies that were arraigned on Tuesday, others standing trial with Nnamani include Hillgate Nigeria Limited, Mea Mather Elizabeth High School and his erstwhile aide, Sunday Anyaogu.
In the amended 10 count charge against the four companies that entered guilty pleas, they were accused of failing to comply with lawful enquiry by Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, who was EFCC Director of Operations then. The companies were alleged to have refused to release their cash books, fixed assets, various vouchers and cheques to EFCC for investigation. They were also accused of failing to give a breakdown of their trade creditors between 2002 and 2006.
The offences according to EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Kelvin Uzozie are punishable under section 38(2) of EFCC Act, 2004.
Upon reading the 10-count charge, the four companies counsel, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN) entered a guilty plea on their behalf.
The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa adjourned the matter to May 27 for review of facts of the case.