Nnamani describes report on US judgment over alleged $41.8m deposit as fake news, blackmail

Senator representing Enugu East District, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, has described report of a purported United States (U.S.) judgment on an alleged cash deposit of $41.8 million, circulating in the media, as handiwork of political detractors.

He regretted that the report was coming shortly after he expressed alternative views on prevailing political developments in the country.

In a statement he signed, which was made available to The Guardian, Nnamani, who is also a former Governor of Enugu State, lamented that fake news have become a new form of blackmail, remarking that reports about a purported U.S. judgment is a ruse.

He urged Enugu people and entire Nigerians to ignore the mischievous report as it was “sponsored by political foes and professional blackmailers.”

Nnamani noted that the report is nothing but a campaign of calumny, intimidation, insults and abuse orchestrated to suppress and diminish his voice.

He said: “My voice will grow louder and more persistent. I know my recent position will attract this attack by those who cannot tolerate alternative views.

“Democracy allows alternative views. If I cannot express my opinion and take a stand, who will?” While affirming there was no such judgement anywhere, Nnamani alleged that the author of the fake news, Samuel Ogundipe, is a known blackmailer, saying: “The story of Ogundipe about Air Peace Airline is still fresh in our memories. I’m not surprised that he has offered himself as a willing tool for this hatchet job once again.

“I left Enugu on a solid foundation 15 years ago. Record of our accomplishments is an open book. No amount of mudslinging can rewrite our history.”

Recall that recent listing of the former governor’s name among members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ruffled some political feathers, especially given that the two-term Senator is a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nnamani had, also, in what was interpreted as a move to support the presidential ambition of former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, commended achievements of the APC presidential candidate.