Business
Court orders ex-gov Nnamani’s arrest for alleged N5.3bn fraud
The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, issued a bench warrant against a former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, and his ex-aide, Sunday Anyaogu, with whom he was charged with an alleged fraud of N5.3bn.
Justice Chuka Obiozor ordered the arrest of the ex-governor and Anyaogu for failing to appear in court on Monday for their scheduled re-arraignment.
The judge rejected the explanation by Nnamani’s lawyer, Mr. Abubakar Shamsudeen, from the chambers of Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), that his client was at the moment in a hospital in the United States, reportedly recuperating after a heart surgery.
He declined the lawyer’s request for an adjournment till January next year, expressing displeasure with the former governor’s appearance, noting that the case had lasted for 10 years.
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The judge stated that the judiciary had always been blamed for the delay in such cases.
Justice Obiozor added, “This matter was slated for re-arraignment today; and I have not found any justification for the absence of the accused persons before this court to take their pleas.
“There must be an end to litigation. The charge before me was filed in 2007 and it is now 10 years.
“In the peculiar circumstances of this case, and particularly in the absence of any convincing explanation on the absence of the defendants before this court today, it is hereby ordered that a bench warrant be issued against the first and second defendants as well as a summon for the sureties to show cause.
“Consequently, this case is adjourned until December 14 for further proceedings.”
When the case was called for hearing on Monday, the prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Kelvin Uzozie, had noted that the matter was scheduled for the re-arraignment of Nnamani and Anyaogu but explained that they were absent.
He then applied that the judge should issue a bench warrant against them.
“I humbly apply that bench warrants be issued against the first and second defendants and their sureties,” Uzozie pleaded.
But Shamsudeen urged the judge to decline the application for the bench warrants, saying his office had been unable to reach Nnamani in the US or his family since last Thursday that the matter came up afresh in court.
“I was reliably informed that the defendant had a heart surgery last month, and we wanted to get a medical report but unfortunately, we could not,” Shamsudeen added.
He argued that the defendants’ absence in court was not deliberate, stating that they had regularly attended their trial before Justice Mohammed Yunusa, who was handling the case earlier.
But the judge, who noted that the case came up last in 2015, asked the lawyer why Nnamani stopped attending trial even before his heart surgery last month.
Shamsudeen told the judge that some of the companies, charged alongside Nnamani and Anyaogu, had entered into a plea bargain with the Federal Government.
He said though Nnamani and Anyaogu pleaded not guilty, Nnamani had interest in the companies that entered into a plea bargain and forfeited their assets, adding that Nnamani’s ill health was part of the reasons for the plea bargain.
Justice Obiozor however said since Nnamani was being tried in his personal capacity and was not affected by the plea bargain entered into by the companies, there was no justification for his absence in court.
He stated, “A defendant may be guilty or not guilty but the law requires such a defendant to appear and stand his trial, and the sole duty of the court is to do justice.
“You are asking for an adjournment till January when this case has lingered on since 2007 which is almost 10 years.
“Justice, as we all know, is a three-way traffic and once it is lagging, you blame the judiciary.
“This is not a case of more haste and less speed; no, I won’t allow that in my court. This is a 2007 charge and up till now, we are still talking of plea.”
The EFCC lawyer, Uzozie, also countered Shamsudeen, saying the photograph he brought to court, to prove that Nnamani was bedridden in a US hospital, had been in circulation since 2014.
Can We Have More Bankers Like Victoria Mulero? An epitome of ‘omoluabi’
In February of this year, I needed to open a new bank account for salary purposes, as required by the management of the new company I had just joined.
I considered First Bank, Access Bank, and Sterling Bank. After some thought, I chose Sterling Bank—not because I found them superior—but because I believed they had fewer customers, which I hoped would save me from long queues and unnecessary delays.
I visited the Sterling Bank branch at Akowonjo to open the account. Unfortunately, the staff member who attended to me didn’t inspire confidence. She appeared distracted—smiling at her phone, clearly engrossed in a private chat—far from the level of professionalism one would expect in a bank setting. I had a feeling this would lead to problems down the line.
When my first salary was paid into the account, my suspicion was confirmed. Sterling Bank restricted access to my funds—I couldn’t transfer money or make withdrawals at the counter. I visited their Fatai Atere branch at Ladipo, Mushin to complain, where I was informed that the account opened for me was a “Kaikai” account—a type I had never heard of. Apparently, this account type is meant for individuals who lack the required documents during account creation. But I had submitted all necessary documents, so why was such an account opened for me?
At the Fatai Atere branch, I was attended to by a remarkable banker named Victoria Mulero. She requested my NIN, which I didn’t have on me at the time. Rather than send me back home, she asked if I had a digital copy. I did, and she graciously gave me her email address so I could forward it to her. With that, she resolved the issue promptly and professionally.
However, the following month, in March, the same restriction happened again. I returned to the Fatai Atere branch, and once again, Victoria Mulero handled my complaint with efficiency and kindness, resolving it without delay.
I hoped the matter was finally settled, but when my April salary arrived, the restriction was imposed yet again. This time, I was beyond frustrated and ready to replace Sterling Bank as my salary account. Still, I visited the Fatai Atere branch one last time. Once more, Victoria Mulero resolved the issue with grace and determination.
This write-up is a tribute to Victoria Mulero of Sterling Bank, Fatai Atere branch. She is a rare gem—respectful, diligent, and genuinely customer-focused. She went above and beyond, following up with the Akowonjo branch through calls and emails until the matter was fully resolved. She handled every situation with patience and empathy, treating the job as if the bank belonged to her family.
To be honest, I’ve had unpleasant experiences with many bankers, especially female staff. Too often, they carry personal frustrations into the banking hall and take it out on customers. But Victoria is different. She exemplifies what true customer service should be.
We may not all be the same, but treating people with respect and kindness is a skill that can be learned—and Victoria clearly has. Let’s celebrate her for being a model professional and a beacon of hope in an industry that too often lacks empathy.
Without any fear of contradiction, I say boldly that Victoria Mulero is a good ambassador of Sterling Bank and her parents too deserve encomium for raising a well trained daughter and impacting an attitude of ‘ omoluabi’ in her. We need more of Victoria Mulero in our banking industry.
Seun Jacob Ogunbiyi
Known as Olùkọ́, the therapeutic writer and Lagos based journalist
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