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Alleged N785m fraud: Court orders arrest of Imo state Deputy Speaker, Iwuanyanwu
Following his alleged involvement in a N785million fraud, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for Hon. Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, the deputy speaker of the Imo state House of Assembly, on Friday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Nigeria Police, the Department of Statistic Services, the Nigerian Immigration Services, and Interpol were ordered by the court in a ruling delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo to immediately arrest the lawmaker “anywhere he is sighted in Nigeria or outside Nigeria and produce him before this honorable court or to the EFCC headquarters, Abuja.”
The EFCC filed an ex-parte motion with the court on November 14 through its attorney, Mr. Olanrewaju Adeola, which led to the court ordering Iwuanyawu’s detention.
The EFCC informed the court that it received information that the legislator had since fled the nation and was currently hiding in the United States of America, USA, in the application with the file number FHC/ABJ/CS/2124/2024.
It informed the court that the Respondent declined to show up to answer a petition filed against him and his business, Sun Gold Estate Limited.
The EFCC claims that Hakiz Investment Company Limited entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, or MoU, with Iwuanyawu’s company at some point in 2012 to develop an estate with 14 units of four-bedroom terrace homes and one block of six flats on the petitioner’s land in Mabuchi, Abuja. The petition was signed by the company’s lawyer, Mr. A. A. Malik, SAN, and was addressed to the EFCC’s Chairman.
It informed the court that the terms of the agreement were as follows: Upon Respondent’s completion of the estate, the complainant—who is the landowner—would receive 40% of the building, and Respondent—who is the developer—would receive 60% of the building.
However, the anti-graft agency alleged that its investigations revealed that “upon completion of the estate, the Respondent sold all the buildings and criminally diverted the funds without the knowledge of the Complainant”.
“That the market value of 40% of the buildings is about N785million.
“That investigation is still ongoing and all invitations extended to both Iwuanyanwu and his company proved abortive.
“That a lawyer to the Respondent had on one of the occasions, received a copy of the invitation on his behalf and made promises that he would be available for questioning.
“That there is an intelligence report that the Respondent is in the USA.
“That without the suspect being apprehended or voluntarily coming to state their side of the story, the investigation will be incomplete.
“That in the light of the calculated effort by the suspect to remain evasive, there is need to place the suspect on watch list of the Commission, the police and any other law enforcement”, EFCC averred in an affidavit that was deposed to by one of its officials, Ufuoma Ezire.
According to the EFCC, the court should issue an arrest warrant for the Respondent in the interest of justice.
It used section 35(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, sections 3, 37, and 39(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as well as sections 6, 7, 13, and 41 of the EFCC (Establishment Act), to support the request for an arrest warrant to be issued against the Respondent.
The Commission testified before the court that it has since sent letters outlining its investigation operations to the Corporate Affairs Commission, banks, and other pertinent organizations.
Meanwhile, in his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that there was merit in the ex-parte application and accordingly granted it.
Specifically, the court, made an order: “Issuing a warrant of arrest against Hon. Amarachi Iwuanyanwu.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till February 23 for report.
Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday after a vehicle crashed into a gas dispensary outlet at Liberty Junction on Arab Road, triggering a fire.
According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was travelling from Arab Road towards Liberty Junction when it reportedly lost control following a brake failure.
The vehicle subsequently skidded off its lane, crossed the road and plunged into the gas station, resulting in a fire outbreak.
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The fire was quickly brought under control following a coordinated response by operatives of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The occupants of the vehicle were rescued unhurt by passers-by and witnesses who responded to the incident.
However, several makeshift shops adjoining the gas outlet were destroyed in the fire.
The prompt intervention of the emergency responders helped to curtail the spread of the fire and prevent further damage.
Financial expert Nnaemeka Onyeka Obiaraeri has defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi against comparisons with former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, citing what he described as differences in the financial records of the two states during their respective tenures.
Obiaraeri made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday while responding to comparisons involving the two former governors.
According to him, Akwa Ibom State, under Akpabio between 2007 and 2015, received an estimated ₦2.06 trillion, which he said was equivalent to about $15.5 billion at the time.
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He further claimed that the amount would be worth more than ₦21.7 trillion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri wrote: “AKWA IBOM STATE, UNDER GODSWILL AKPABIO, 2007 TO 2015…..
“Between 2007 and 2015, during the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Akwa Ibom State Government received an estimated total revenue of approximately ₦2.06 trillion/$15.5billion…..
“In today’s naira value, Akwa Ibom under Akpabio received over N21.7trillion.”
He also claimed that Akpabio left loan obligations of $334 million, which he put at about ₦467 billion.
Obiaraeri further alleged that there were multiple EFCC files concerning Akpabio, claiming that they documented financial misconduct during his tenure.
Turning to Anambra, Obiaraeri said the state received approximately $4.06 billion, or ₦525 billion, during Peter Obi’s tenure as governor from March 14, 2006, to March 14, 2014.
He wrote: “ANAMBRA STATE UNDER PETER OBI MARCH 14, 2006 TO MARCH 14, 2014
“Total funds and revenues received by Anambra state under Peter Obi was $4.06billion/N525billion.
“In today’s naira term is N5.4trillion.”
According to Obiaraeri, Peter Obi left behind $156 million in savings invested in an investment that generated more than $43 million, bringing the total to $199.8 million.
He added that the figure amounted to approximately ₦279 billion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri also claimed that more than ₦36 billion, which he equated to about $240 million, was held in Treasury Bills and other short-term naira investments.
He wrote: “However, Peter Obi left behind a total savings of $156million in an investment that yielded over $43m totaling $199.8m/N279billion in today’s naira money and over N36bn/$240m in treasury bills and other short term naira investments.”
Defending the former Anambra governor against allegations of corruption, Obiaraeri stated: “Peter Obi did not loot a kobo of Anambra monies. HE HAS NO EFCC OR FBI FILES OF CRIMINALITY ON HIM….”
He also compared Obi with other governors who served around the same period, “The Only Governor in the league of PO during his time was Raji Fashola …… Anyway, I am not surprised at some of you, who do this baseless comparison…The difference between LIGHT and Darkness is so clear to DECENT men, who love LIGHT….
“THOSE WHO ARE ROGUES, AND ASPIRING ROGUES, USUALLY LOVE DARKNESS….THEIR HEART IS DARKENED AND MIGRATE TOWARDS DARKNESS ALWAYS.”
He said ‘This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil’.”
He then directly addressed those comparing the two former governors, stating: “I PUT IT TO YOU, who is mischievously comparing Apostle Peter to YOUR BARABASSES, that you are EVIL…QED.”
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from the United Nations General Assembly, contrasting it with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s participation in the 81st UNGA.
Obi raised the question in a post on X on Sunday, while reacting to Mahama’s address at the global gathering.
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The former presidential candidate wrote: “The dynamic President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, delivered a remarkable address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The international community has commended his leadership and the substance of his address.
“It is a reminder of what leadership can produce when competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character come together in the service of a nation.”
Obi then drew attention to Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level, asking why Tinubu had not attended the global gathering.
He wrote:
“Against this background, many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people – more than Ghana – whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?
“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing the country and providing leadership for Africa at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings. Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges, both domestically and internationally?”
Obi acknowledged that Vice President Kashim Shettima was present at the UNGA but maintained that questions remained over the President’s absence.
He stated: “Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: Where is the President?
“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation.”
Obi ended the post with his familiar political message:
Tinubu did not attend the 81st UNGA, with Shettima representing Nigeria at the gathering.
The President’s absence marks his third consecutive non-attendance at the UN General Assembly after he also did not personally attend the 79th and 80th sessions.
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