Eze Chikamnayo has a history of involvement in scandal, theft, and fraud. He was appointed commissioner for information, tourism, and culture by Chief (Dr.) Orji Uzor Kalu, the former governor of Abia State. He is from the Umunneochi Local Government Area of the State, which is under Senator Uche Chukwumerije.
Being the only commissioner of information, tourism, and culture to leave office with two theft cases hanging over his head like a Damocles sword, Chikamnayo created history. Furthermore, it is said that the two theft occurrences occurred between September and November 2000, a period of three months. After looking into the two incidents, the Nigerian police accused Chikamnayo of stealing over N40 million in government funds from Abia State and filed the appropriate charges against him.
The state government Exco conclusion 1994 (3) of May 25, 1994 established the Ugwuabia Cultural Festival as an annual state festival with the goal of showcasing and celebrating the diversity and richness of Abia arts and culture. This was one of the two theft cases involving the alleged theft of N35 million. The Ugwuabia Festival also facilitates the achievement of the goals of the National Cultural Policy, which requires each state in the federation to establish a State Cultural Festival of Arts and Culture and to take part in the yearly National Festival of Arts and Culture, or NAFEST, among other things. The state is better prepared to participate at the National Festival thanks to the talent found at the Ugwuabia Festival.
The festival was held twice, the first time in November 1994 and the second time in November 1996. Prior to Orji Uzor Kalu taking over as the stale’s executive governor and appointing Chikamnayo as Commissioner for information, tourism, and culture, the 1996 edition was the final.
Chikanwayo recognized the need to host the Ugwuairia Festival in 2000 and asked then-governor Kalu to approve the festival’s budget of N8,460,00. The festival was scheduled for November 8–11, 2000, with the usual scope being expanded to include other departments of Tourism and Film, as well as a special Gala Night featuring an award ceremony for well-known Nigerian artists and art enthusiasts.
In a letter dated October 16, 2000, with reference MICT/S.176/T/X and the subject line “REQUEST FOR FUNDING OF 1ST INTER-STATE FILM. CULTURE AND TOURISM FIESTA:”UGWUABIA in 2000.” Governor Kalu was instructed by Chikamnayo to take into account and approve two things: (1) the holding of the first interstate film, culture, and tourism fiesta/award ceremony, known as the Third Ugwuabia Festival, in November 2000; and (2) the release of N8,460,000.00, or eight million, four hundred, and sixty thousand naira, for the festival, which will last for one week.
He went over the specifics of the proposed budgets, including the N500,000.00 for printing posters and invitations, the N600,000.00 for paying for the plagues for the winner, the N150,000.00 for traditional wrestling and archery equipment, the N70,000.00 for renting a service bus for seven days, the N60,000.00 for renting an open truck low loader for the ASCAC troupe’s float for two days, the N100,000:00 for preparing Umuahia Township Stadium, the N1,500,000.00 for ASCAC studio/Michael Okpara Auditorium, the N1,500,000.00 for preparing a few tourist sites, the N20,000.00 for canopies, chairs, decorations, e.t.c., and the N100,000.00 for preparing Aha Township Stadium. Accommodation and food for invited state troupes, contingents, etc. (Umualria and Aba): N100,000.00; Newspaper advertisements: N40,000.00; banners, buntings, stickers, e.t.c.: N150;000.00; printing of festival brochures and the second edition of Onwa Journal; intensive radio and TV commercials and jingles both in local and national networks: N500,000.00 N850,000.00; mementos for every category; N500,000.00; honoraria for adjudicators/MCS/members of the planning committee and invited guests to the festival for one week; N100,000.00 for food; N300,000.00 for entertainment at technical committee meetings (local government area members). Chikamnayo claims that the proposed budget details also included protocol/other logistics expenses of N350.000.00, light refreshments for all attendees of N 10,000.00, sitting allowances for members of the state planning and technical committees of N Seventy Thousand.00, decoration of the ASCAC troupe float of N Fifty Thousand.00, three nights of lodging/compensation for five resource persons of N Eighty Thousand.00, honorarium for five resource persons of N Fifty Thousand.00, and production of colloquium papers for N $50,000,000. Transportation accommodations for the resource persons: N50,000.0(); light refreshments during the colloquium; exhibition screens, pedestals, etc. including N150,000 for creating new ones and documenting the process; N30,000 for putting up and taking down the show; N250,000 for housing invited artists (five local and national professional groups); N100,000 for the honoraria to the five professional groups; N200,000 for awarding prizes (20 plaques bearing the Ugwuabia logo); and N200,000 for security and law enforcement. Following a review of the proposed budgets, Governor Kalu approved N4 million for the festival on the same day and sent the approval back to the Commissioner. On October 17, 2000, a payment voucher bearing the name of the Hon. Commissioner of the Ministry of Information, Tourism, and Culture was raised. dated October 16, 2000, was attached to the voucher and was cited in the voucher. However, the former commissioner wrote the previous governor again on November 7, 2000, asking for an extra N15,800,000.00 for the same festival. The former commissioner informed the former governor in a letter with the reference MICT/COM/S.39/111/223 and the caption “Additional funding for “Ugwuabia 2000″ that, given the highly expanded nature of the Ugwuabia 2000” fiesta and the expected category of visitors, he was requesting an additional release of N15,800,000.00 to cover (i) the mounting of an ultramodern stage at Umuahia stadium and payment for five musical stars via Bright Chimezie N6,800,000.00; (ii) the engagement of specialized PR agents Nl,300,000.00; (iii); a one-week advertisement for the Ugwuab.ia fiesta by NTA Network and FRCN for N3,200,000.00; (vi) other committee requirements for N4,500,000.00, for a total of N15,800,000.00. Instead of approving this second request, Governor Kalu is said to have urged Chief Chikamnayo to look for funding from private citizens and businesses. He subsequently relocated to the now-defunct Hallmark Bank in Umuahia, where he instructed the manager, Richard Harrison—who was later named Abia Stale Commissioner for Finance—to authorize Ugwuabia 2000 to take out an overdraft, to be reimbursed from the release and monthly allotments to the ministry of information, tourism, and culture.
Harrison asked the state’s accountant general for written permission to use such a facility. Chikamnayo spoke with Mr. G.N. Anyanwoke, the former state accountant general, who complied and granted the bank permission to let Ugwuabia 2000 to create an account with the Hank and make overdrafts from the account. In this manner, on November 26, 2000, Ugwuabia 2000 account No. 102099-100 was created with N1,000.00, and the signatories were the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, GC. Adiele, and Director of Finance, Ada Ijioma. This came about following Chikamnayo’s deposit of N4 million from the governor into his own Hallmark Bank Plc, Umuahia branch account number 1011335-100.
However, as of February 6, 2001, Chikamnayo had overdrawn a total of N37, 380,382.72 before the state administration could even realize it. The former governor, Kalu, was furious that someone he loved so deeply could be capable of deceiving his administration as a result of this scam. Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji, the current governor of Abia State and Kalu’s former chief of staff, was instructed to write the police commissioner and ask him to look into the scam. As soon as the state police headquarters received Orji’s letter, a thorough investigation into the fraud was launched. Multiple persons provided statements to the police over the course of the inquiry.
Chief T.A. Orji informed the police investigators that he had received instructions from Chief (Dr.) Orji Uzor Kalu, the governor at the time, to write to the police requesting that Chief Eze Chikamnayo be detained for his illicit acquisition of approximately N35 million in funds from Hallmark Bank under the guise of the Abia State Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism. The letter, dated January 30, 2001, with the reference GH/PL/S. 119/298. On February 2, 2001, T.A. Orji gave his testimony to Corporal Victor Ahanonu of service number 1420X3 at the police department.
The festival’s tourism subcommittee was chaired by Chike Tasie, the ministry’s deputy director of tourism. He informed the police that he was instructed to gather N100,000.00 from each of the state’s 17 council areas. He claimed to have collected N900,000.00 from nine council areas, and he placed N700,000.00 into the festival account while Chikamnayo took N200,000.00 and put it in his pocket. Tasie was taken aback upon learning that Chikamnayo had utilized his identity to launder N75,000.00 and N400,000.00, which were purportedly intended as payments for coverages on Aso Radio and Cool FM Lagos. Tasie claimed to the police that he had no knowledge of the N400,000.00 and N75,000.00 checks that Chikamnayo had personally picked up from Chika Iheonuekwu.
The finance committee/project account of the festival was visited by Chika Iheonuekwu, the internal auditor of the information, tourism, and culture ministry, on February 6, 2001. He informed the police that all funds received from private citizens and corporate entities were spent with Chikamnayo’s approval, with him writing the checks and the permanent secretary and director of finance signing them.
In a statement dated February 16, 2001, Iheonunekwu said that, in his capacity as the festival’s chairman of the finance committee, he made 33 deposits into the festival’s account between November 2, 2000, and December 8, 2000, totaling N11,115,000.00. Iheonuekwu gave Chikamnayo a total of 24 checks on November 6, 2000 alone, on the grounds that Chikamnayo had already made significant financial commitments on Uwguabia 2000 using his own account. Iheonunekwu further informed the police that Chikamnayo personally received and cashed the N75,000.00 and N400,000.00 checks made out to Chika Tasie.
Iheonuekwu claims that Chikamnayo, the previous commissioner, issued all of the contracts for the manufacture of souvenirs during the festival on his own and that no one else knew who the contractors were. Iheonuekwu disclosed that Chikamnayo handled all of the contract work through Cornelius Anyabueke, his personal assistant. He recalled that he had written two checks, one for N1,000,000.00 intended for Oguguo Ogbonna and another for N650,000.00 that Chikamnayo said he had given to Charles Awa for the rental of laptops and stationery line of equipment for the event.
Ada Ijiomah, the ministry’s director of finance, informed the police on February 9, 2001, that she was the festival’s chairperson of the Welfare and Entertainment subcommittee. She claimed that without her knowledge or approval, Chikamnayo had transferred the N4 million from the state governor into his personal account before she opened the festival’s account at Hallmark Bank on October 26, 2000. According to her, “the Hon. Commissioner made the majority of the preliminary preparations for the festival, including the appointment of subcommittees, assignment of duties, awarding of contracts, and supplies for jobs and materials required.” He distributed these tasks and assignments by himself, and he used checks written on his own account, into which he had deposited the N4 million ministry check, to pay for the jobs, either in full or in part. I had no knowledge of the contractors or suppliers that were assigned these projects, and I had no bearing whatsoever on the selection of any vendor or supply for the event.”
Ijiomah claims that on November 2, 2000, Chikamnayo was coerced into writing a check for the remaining N4 million on his personal Hallmark Bank account by her, the permanent secretary, and the project accountant.
After that, alleging that these payments had overdrawn his personal account, Chikamnayo began to make ceaseless demands for refunds of the checks he had drawn on it for the Ugwuabia operations. Unbeknownst to the permanent secretary and head of finance, he turned in a list of payments he had already made on behalf of the festival, totaling N18 million. Ijiomah: “The Honorable Commissioner demanded that all of the money he had previously paid to the several suppliers, contractors, and artists he collaborated with be given as checks. Since further checks would overdraw the Ugwuabia account, the permanent secretary and I declined to sign them. The Hon. Commissioner informed us that further donations will be received and that he anticipated the government releasing an extra N15 million.”
He was incensed and yelled at Ijiomah when she advised him that it was improper to overdraw a government account without the proper authority. He claimed he did not want her professional advice and that he already knew what he had discussed with the governor at the time, who had ordered -bon to ensure Ugwuabia’s success.
On the same February 9, 2000, GC. Adiele, the permanent secretary of the ministry, informed the police that he had just started working there and that, by the time he took over, all Ugwuabia contracts had been awarded. Part payments and other expenses totaling N18 million had been paid for by Prince Eze Chikamnayo alone, including payments to performers, artists, and publicity.
G. C. Adiele said, “The Hon. Commissioner before my assumption of duties has personally signed for and collected government cheques from the Accountant General’s office to the tune of about N20 million and with the approval of the bank manager successfully paid same into his (commissioner) private account at Hallmark bank and disbursed same through his personal cheques”. The former Hallmark bank manager made his first public declaration on February 6, 2001, disclosing that the festival’s account had been overdrawn by N37.380,383.72. On February 28, 2001, Richard Harrison reiterated, “I confirm that the majority of the other checks were cashed by beneficiaries in the commissioner’s company, with the exception of those made out to the Hon. Commissioner.”
Uwaoma Charles Ama owns his own private company. According to Chikamnayo, he received N650,000.00 to purchase laptops, stationery, and other items. However, Ama denied ever receiving any money from the previous commissioner, let alone the specified sum. The police were informed by him that Chikamnayo had not even paid him for the N535,000.00 he had personally spent on documentary, photography, and general services for the event.
Ambrose Nwachukwu, the former chairman of the NUJ in Abia State and a member of the media committee, informed the police that their committee had received N392.000.00 in cash from the commissioner, notwithstanding Chikamnayo’s claims that more than N 500.000.00 had been granted to the media for the festival. Once more, the festival’s account did not show this amount. The authorities: “The source of this money was therefore not ascertained as it was given in cash by the suspect and there was no voucher for it” .
The police investigation further stated that Nne Kalu, an employee of NTA, Aba, and a member of the festival’s award committee, obtained a N100,000.00 check from the pledge makers and presented it to the former commissioner, who then gave her a N50.000.00 check as payment for the N100,000.00. This was highly dubious. How is it possible for the former commissioner to commission a female NTA employee for N10,000.00?
The festival’s state co-coordinator was named as private businessman Prince Obed Amuzu. 15% of his canvassing proceeds and N170,0000 were to be given to him. It dawned on him, N375,000.00. However, despite the former commissioner’s claims to the contrary, he never received the N170,000.00 or the 15% from the N75,000.00.
The hotel provided lodging, food, and a conference hall for the event; however, Femi Aremu, the hotel’s then-manager, informed the police that the festival had only paid them N1,680,043.00, leaving them still in debt of N750,000.00.
According to sources, Chikamnayo created history by inviting actresses from near and far to stay at the hotel. Sources claim that he paid N100,000.00 to each actress he had sex with, while only giving N50,000.00 to those he licked the breasts of. Thus, the Ugwuabia funds ended up in the voice mail or “banks” of the actresses.
Okechukwu Anukwuem’s account to the police was startling. Chikamnayo hired a private Enugu-based individual to produce stickers, logo designs, invitation cards, color posters, full-color handbills, fabric, banners, executive export poles, hats, and other items. He presented an invoice that indicated the entire amount of work completed, N1,930,500.00, for which he was paid N1,375,000.00 over four payments. However, when he arrived to collect the remaining N555,500.00, Chikamnayo took his pen and crossed out his quote, telling him to inflate his bill to reflect the amount he had been paid. N22.269,500.00, or that he need to give up the remaining N555,500.00. Anukwuem signed a statement indicating he had received N22,269,500.00 from Chikmnayo because he did not want to lose the remaining N555.500.00. But he did not receive the remaining amount.
Chikamnayo, however, disclaimed any knowledge of the Ugwuabia financial matters. Chikamnayo claimed that “the allegation 6f stealing of the sum of nN35m leveled against me is false” in the statement he gave to the police on February 2, 2001. “Because I was never signatory to any government account throughout the period of my stewardship and could not have withdrawn any money,” he says in response to the bogus accusation.
According to Chikamnayo, the financial personnel of the Ministry of Information, Tourism, and Culture were appropriately managing the Ugwuabia project Account, which was a legitimate government account. He said that the project accountant is an auditor. He said, “I was not involved in their financial activities once the project account was opened, so they are all in a better position to know the regulations and follow them. I just made sure the funds given from the governor’s office in my name were protected for the event.”
Chikamnayo claimed that everything was politically motivated in his supplementary testimony to the police on April 24, 2001. “I would like to add to my previous statement that, while performing official responsibilities, I was engaged in a horrific car accident on January 5, 2001. In reality, the government provided the home ambulance that transported me to the orthopedic hospital in Enugu, and the Federal Medical Center paid my fees for the x-ray and other first procedures. It’s interesting—and somewhat embarrassing—that the same government, well knowing of my complete incapacity—I fractured my shoulder blades and pubic bone—declared me wanted when I was living in Umuahia and without first receiving a police invitation. This confirms my suspicion that the entire situation is politically orchestrated to malign and damage my reputation. I was declared sought, and the police handled the announcement,” Chikamnayo remarked.
Chikamnayo claimed that he did not take N35 million, but the police disapproved, claiming that the cast had political overtones. According to the police’s findings, the festival, which took place between November 15 and November 21, 2000, consumed a staggering N48 million due to inflated payments made by Chikamnayo. The Abia State government contributed a total of N4 million, but the suspect took advantage of the opportunity to augment with an overdraft and used it to the state government’s financial detriment. Records revealed that while the Abia State government contributed N4 million, Hallmark Bank donated N5,200,OOO.Nine local government areas and nine other banks contributed N900,000.00, N465,000.00 was donated by people, N60,540.00 was raised via the sale of T-shirts and Akwete outfits, and N37,380,383.72 was the amount of heavy debt owed to Hallmark Bank.
“The suspect was alleged to have single-handedly issued several jobs to some actual or purported persons or organizations before the committees for the festival were set up,” the police continued in their findings. “And on November 6, 2000, in his personal capacity as commissioner for information, Chikamnayo cashed the sum of N12,815,000.00 with 24 Hallmark bank cheques, and another N9.590,000.00 with twelve cheques from November 10 to November 22, 2000, amounting to N22.405,000.00, all from the same Ugwuabia account at Hallmark bank and in his capacity as the commissioner.” They added, “The suspect received and cashed two checks for N400.000.00 and N75.000.00 in the name of one Chike Tasie on November 22, 2000, for his own benefit rather than paying them to Aso Radio, Abuja, and Cool FM Lagos, respectively. The suspect had directed the finance committee to issue the checks.” The police also verified that, despite the fact that Charles U. Amah is still due N535,000.00, Chikamnayo misappropriated the N650,000.00 that had been handed to him. The police went on to say that one Mr. Bright Chtmezie received N6.270,000.00 in five installments for the promotion of stage light, large studio projects, booking of musicians, transportation/hotel accommodations, and jingles, among other things, from the Ugwuabia account and the account maintained by the project accountant. About N600,000.00 was given to Chris Mba in advance for his technical work; N500.000.00 went to Mrs. Romie Dikko for her professional expenses; and N1,000,000.00 went to the late Mr. Nnenna Ogwo for the creation of women’s wraps for the festival.
The police concluded, “In conclusion, it has been established that the suspect stole the sum of N12,815,000.00 on 6/11/2000, and the sum of N9,590,000.00 between 10th and 22nd November 2000 with cheques which he received from the Ugwuabia finance committee and cashed by himself as honourable commissioner for information. He should also be held responsible for stealing the sum of N475,000.00 and N650,000.00 with the names of Chike Taste and Charles U. Amah, respectively. Accordingly, it is hereby recommended that the suspect be charged to court while the case file will be duplicated and forwarded to the DPP for legal advice, please”. The police report, dated May 29, 2001, with the caption “Police Investigation Report in A Case of Stealing the Sum of N35m CR.80/2001,” cited 1360/ABS/X’D5″A7Vcl 1/8. The letter, headed “Subject: Chief Eze Chikamnayo,” was signed by S. D. Midenda, Assistant Commissioner of Police, SCIB, State Police Headquarters, Umuahia, and sent to the Commissioner of Police, ‘A’ Department, State Police Headquarters, Umuahia. As a result, Chief Eze Chikmnayo and the Commissioner of Police filed Charge No. U/187C/2001 against Chikamnayo for theft. Aged 35 (M). He was accused of fraudulently taking N12,815,000.00, which was property of the Abia State government, from the account of Ugwuabia on November 22, 2000, and committing an offense that was punishable under section 390 (4) (f) of the Criminal Code Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 as they applied to Abia State; on the same day, November 22, 2000, he fraudulently withdrew N475,000.00, which was property of the Abia State government, from the account of Ugwuabia, a cultural arm of the Abia State government, and thus committed an offense that was punishable under section 390 (4) (f) of the Criminal Code Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 as they applied to Abia State and moreover that on November 7, 2000, he took N650,000.00 illegally out of the Ugwuabia account, violating Section 390 (4) (f) of the Criminal Code Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963, which is relevant to Abia State. On June 8, 2001, Chikamnayo was charged at Chief Magistrate Court 1 Umuahia before A.A. Adiele, who was the Chief Magistrate Grade 1 at the time. Chikmnayo entered a not guilty plea to each of the accusations when they were read to him. H. Nwokocha Esq., his attorney, requested bail on his behalf. However, S.I. Onyemuche Esq., the prosecutor, objected to the bail, and he was placed under arrest until July 19, 2001. Chikmnayo was implicated in several theft cases than that one. One Michael Odionyenfe and his older brother Ikechukwu went to congratulate him on his recent appointment as commissioner. That was in the past, before to August 2000. When printing jobs came up, he assured the two brothers they would get them. Subsequently, he requested that Michael present a quote on the printing of the 2001 state calendar and diaries. Michael submitted his quotation on August 7, 2000. On October 10, 2000, he returned to the ministry to see whether his quotation had been accepted, and he was sent a letter requesting him to come complete some more pertinent paperwork and sign some required documents.
The memo titled “Printing of Abia State 2001 Calendar, Desk and Pocket Diaries” was sent to the Director of Ordion Bits, 3 Crock Close, Egbeda, Lagos, on October 10, 2000, with reference to MICT/COM/52/91, According to Chikmnayo, “I refer to your quotations dated 7′” August, 2000 for the printing of the Desk and Pocket Diaries, Abia Stole 2001 Calendar, and Jp communicate consent to you for same.”
He added that 10,000 copies of the 2001 calendar, valued at N250.00 each, N2,500,000.00, 5,000 copies of the 2001 desk diary, valued at N500 each, N2,500,000.00, and 3,000 copies of the 2001 pocket diary, valued at N300.00 each, N9000,000.00, were required in order for the contract to be awarded. This brought the total to N5.900.00. Chikmanvo stated, “you are, therefore requested to come to the Ministry to sign the necessary papers,” informing Michael of Ordion Bits that the terms and conditions of the supply are outlined in the contract agreement.
Michael went, and following a few meetings, he was instructed to deliver the works between December and January 2001 and was handed N1,000.00 each mobilization cost. He sent out a thousand copies of the calendar in November 2000 and asked for extra funding. There was no money coming in.
Chikamnayo, in the meantime, informed the Governor on October 27, 2000, in a letter referencing MICT/COM/52/92, that “we have received requests for the printing of Abia State seasonal greeting cards and table calendar for use by all government agencies and parastatals, including our liaison offices throughout the year.”
He informed the prior governor that central management of production was necessary since decentralized manufacturing was very expensive for the government. He also disclosed the expenses, which came to N6,100,000.00 for the graphic input-visual finishing art work, N20,000 for the print run of calendars at N150.00 N3,000,000.00 and N10,000 for desk calendars at N300.00 each N3,000,000.00. When Chikamnayo handed the calendar to Michael of Ordion Bits at N250.00 apiece but informed the governor that it was actually N150.00 apiece, it was unclear what exactly he had in mind. Additionally, he informed the governor that the calendars cost N300.00 apiece, but he delivered them to Ordion Bits for N500.00 each. The primary motivation may have been that he set out to lower the expenses in order to get whatever amount authorized since he began thinking of ways to deceive the government from the beginning.
However, as Ordion Bits received no further funding to continue the project, Michael wrote to the commissioner on December 4, 2000, asking for additional funding to allow him to complete the work on schedule. He made a particular demand of N3.5 million. However, he received nothing but an extra N100,000. Subsequently, in February 2001, Michael received an invitation from Mr. Enyinnaya Ubani, the Alternate Commissioner, directing him to provide the leftover calendars and diaries. Michael informed the acting Commissioner that in order to complete the remaining works, he would require funding. On February 15, 2001, Michael wrote to Dr. Kalu, the previous governor, to inform him of his situation when Ubani was unable to provide any more money and continued to threaten him with oil.
Prior to the release of the calendars, Michael went to his creditors in Lagos and gave them postdated checks. He then supplied the ministry with the necessary funds to enable him to finish the diaries. This demand was contained in his letter dated April 23, 2001. “It was then that 1 was told that I have been paid fully,” Michael told the police in his statement on June 25, 2001. On March 7, the then information commissioner wrote and invited him. When he went, Prince Emeka Obasi, the then information commissioner, interrogated him. Following that encounter, the acting permanent secretary of the ministry wrote and informed Michael of the exco of Abia State’s decision that the remaining jobs be supplied and paid for.
Michael informed them that he had only received N1.1 million of the N5.9 million contract amount. The State police, who were already investigating the matter after receiving a letter from the government requesting an investigation into the transaction, invited him on June 22, 2001. The offer was accepted by him on June 25, 2001. Michael admitted to the police that only 1,000 of the 10,000 calendars he had made were utilized at the Ugwuabia festival. He provided the thousand copies. On April 18, 2001, the remaining calendars were delivered for just N1 million, and an additional N100,000 was paid with a personal check written by Chikamnayo.
Michael admitted to the police that he had no idea who or how his balance was being paid. Michael: “Even though the Ministry wrote to let me know that my money had been received, I’m not sure to whom they made the payment. When I looked into their allegation, all I discovered was that the vouchers they said they were paid with were signed by a different individual, and one of the vouchers had a different name before being changed to my company’s name, Orderion Bits. I had no idea that N5.9 million had been taken out of the Hallmark Bank Umuahia Branch using my company’s name.”
Ijioma Bassey works for the Ministry. On June 6, 2001, he told the police that the Acting Director for Finance had given him instructions to raise a voucher with the government house letter No. GHA/PL/S.377/2002/11/522 of September 19, 2000, so the ministry could draw the N5,900.000.00 that had been approved for the production of the Abia State Calendar and Diary for 2001. He raised a payment voucher and forwarded it to the Accountant General’s office as directed. I’m not sure how or when they obtained the project’s funds, as my responsibility ends with submitting vouchers to the accountant general’s office. Ijioma informed the police, “I am not authorized to sign or collect checks and money on behalf of the Ministry.” She also mentioned that the money’s payment voucher, which had the date September 19, 2000 and reference number MIC/00/212/2000 on it, was created in the Ministry’s name. Following the discovery of the fraud, the police were instructed to look into it by Chief F. E. Erondu, the acting permanent secretary of the ministry, in a letter dated May 18, 2001, with the reference MICT/COM/52/185 and the caption, “Request for investigation over an allegation of wrongful withdrawal of Hallmark Bank’ checks 00000240 and 00000241 belonging to Abia State government.”
After conducting an investigation, the police concluded that the N5.9 million worth of checks designated for Ordion Bits were cashed by the culprit, Chief Chikamnayo. Police report: “That the said Eze Chikamnayo, instead of paying for the contract which the money was approved for, paid the remaining balance of money amounting to N4,800,000.00 into his own personal account with account No. 10135100 at Hallmark Bank” .
“Investigation into this case had been concluded,” the police said in their conclusion. We have collected all required papers related to the case. It has been shown that the previous commissioner of Abia State’s Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Chief Eze Chikamnayo, cheated the state government out of N4,800,000. Therefore, it is advised that he be prosecuted with theft in violation of Criminal Code § 390(4). I need your permission to proceed, please.”
The police investigation report, dated September 1, 2001, with reference AB: 1360/ABS/X/D3/Vol.l/18, was addressed to the Commissioner of Police, ‘A’ Department, State police Headquarters, Umuahia, and signed by S.D. Midenda, assistant Commissioner of police Umuahia. It was captioned “investigation report -CR- Case of stealing against Chief Eze Chikarnnayo.” However, Chikamnayo stated that Ordion Bits was no longer intended to be the recipient of the contract he personally granted. He said that it was for party supporters and that he broke down the jobs to favor those who worked for the government during elections. He also claimed that he utilized the money to purchase PR gifts, like as wall clocks, for partygoers at a cost of N2.5 million during the 2000 Christmas season. Chikamnayo said, “Since the money was made for various people and different groups, I authorized the cashing of the cheque for distribution” . He informed the police that his personal assistant had paid the check, but he was unable to recall the person’s identity. On June 8, 2001, he informed the police, “The name of my personal assistant that cashed the cheque will be supplied later on verification.” However, the authorities detected his deception and brought charges against him for pilfering N4.8 million. Charged under case No. HU/260/2001, the State vs. Chief Eze Chikamnayo, he was accused of abusing his position and depositing an N4 million government check into his personal account at the Hallmark Bank Umuahia branch; additionally, he was accused of stealing N4 million from Ugwuabia on November 1, 2000, in violation of section 104 of the Criminal Code cap. 30 vol. 11 1963 laws of Eastern Nigeria as applicable in Abia State. theft of N2,815,000.00 from Ugwuabia on November 6, 2000; theft of N500, 000.00 from Ugwuabia on November 13; theft of N5,000,000.00 from Ugwuabia on November 15, 2000; theft of N3000,000.00 from Ugwuabia on November 16, 2000; theft of N550, 000.00 from Ugwuabia on November 17; theft of N5,820,000.00 from Ugwuabia on November 20, 2000; theft of N420, 000.00 from Ugwuabia on November 21, 2000; theft of N120,000.00 from Ugwuabia on November 22, 2000, and theft of N200,000.00 from Ugwuabia on November 23, 2000. all in violation of Eastern Nigerian statutes, specifically 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30 Vol. 11, 1963, as they relate to the Nigerian State of Abia. Enyinnaya Okezie, Esq., the Chief State Council, signed the accusation. After Chief Eze Chikamnayo was eventually charged with stealing and abusing his position in two courts following the police findings in the two instances, many people lost faith in his ability to be reappointed to the same position where he had defrauded the State Government. Perhaps the current administration believed he had made amends. However, his actions thus far have disproved them. It demonstrates that a leopard’s color cannot be altered. Not every call could be answered by Chikamnayo.
BELOW IS A COMPREHENSIVE POLICE REPORT OF CHIKAMNAYO’S CASE
REPORT OF POLICE OFFICERS WHO INVESTIGATED THE CASE
PW.4 – (A) SGT. BASSEY EGBONYI, PW. 5 – (B) INSPR. FELIX OJEIKHOA, PW.6 (C) S.D. MIDONDA ACP, AB:1360/ABS/X/D3/VOL1/18
The Asst. Comm. Of Police
‘D’ Department (SCID) State
Police Headquarters Umuahia.
18th September, 2001.
The Commissioner of Police.
‘A’ Department State Police Headquarters
Umuahia.
POLICE INVESTIGATION REPORT
RE:CASE OF STEALING AGAISNT CHIEF
EZE CHIKAMNAYO
INTRODUCTION:
This deals with a case of stealing reported through a petition dated 18th May, 2001 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police Abia State by Chief Felix E. Erondu, Ag. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism Abia State on behalf of Abia State Government.
The petition was written against the former commissioner in the ministry in the person of Chief Eze Chikamnayo. The petition was endorsed to this department for investigation Ref: endorsement letter AR:1360/ABS/ VOL.1/ 10A dated 24′” May, 2001.
FACT OF THE CASE: According to the Petitioner, the former commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Chief Eze Chikamnayo on behalf of the Abia State Government awarded Messrs Ordion Bits of No. 15 Umunnachi Street Awkananaw Enugu a contract for the production of year 2001 calendar, table and pocket diaries as follows: (i) 10,000 copies of calendar at N2, 500, 000.00, (ii) 5,000 copies of table and pocket diaries at N2, 500, 000.00 and (iii) 3,000 copies of pocket diaries at N900, 000.00. the total sum of involved is N5, 900.000 (Five million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira). This money was withdrawn from Hallmark Bank Umuahia branch in the separate cheques -Cheque No. 00000240 of 9′” October, 2000 covering the sum of N4, 130, 000.00 (Four Million One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) and cheque No. 00000241 of 16th October, 2000 covering the sum of N1.180, 000.00 (One Million, One Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira) respectively. The contractor Ordion Bits alias Michael Odionyenfe only delivered the calendars without the diaries. On inquiry by the ministry as to know why he did not complete the contract even when the whole money involved has been paid to him as shown in the record, he explained that he was only paid N1.1m (One Million One Hundred Thousand Naira) only as a mobilization fee and that no other money was given to him. This prompted the complainant to write to the Commissioner of police for a thorough investigation to be carried out on the matter.
INVESTIGATION:
Immediately the petition was referred for investigation, the complainant was located. One Bassey Ijeoma who was incharge of payment voucher and other charges in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism was equally located and he volunteered a statement. A letter was written to the Ministry requesting for the contract agreement and any other relevant document relating to the case and the following documents were brought:- letter No. MICT/COM/52/91 which is the conditions for the award of the contract, a letter from “Ordion Bits” demanding for more funds from Chief Eze Chikamnayo the former Commissioner and a receipt acknowledging that he had collected one Million Naira as mobilization fee.
On the 8/6/2001, the suspect, Chief Eze Chikamnayo was located and arrested. He was charged and cautioned in English language and he volunteered a statement. In his statement, he admitted withdrawing the money from Hallmark Bank. He equally admitted paying the contractor N1.1m as mobilization. He also claimed he used part of the money to settle some party members. He could not however name the party members he settled with the money nor could he mention the amount each person got. A team of detectives led by Ihspr. Felix Ojiakhoa left to Enugu to invite the contractor Ordion Bits alias Michel Odionyenfe. He was located and his statement obtained. He stated that Chief Eze Chikamnayo who was the former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism awarded a contract to him to produce year 2001 calendar and diaries for Abia State Government. He equally stated that the said Eze Chikamnayo mobilized him with the sum of N1.1 m and that by November, 2000, he produced one thousand calendars from that money and delivered it to him He also stated that he requested for more fund from him to enable him complete the remaining one? but he failed to give him until he was ousted from office. A letter was equally sent to the Accountant General to produce the payment voucher and other documents relating to the case. The payment voucher and the approval letter of contract by the governor were obtained. Investigation was extended to Hallmark Bank Umuahia where the two cheques that were used to withdraw the money were inspected. This revealed that Chief Eze Chikamnayo the former Commissioner in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, personally withdrew the money from Hallmark Bank and paid same into his own private account No. 101335-100 also in the same bank.
FINDINGS:
During the investigation, the following findings were adduced: (a) That the suspect Chief Eze Chikamnayo was the former Commissioner for Information Culture and Tourism in Abia State (b) the during his tenure as a commissioner in the Ministry, he made a proposal in writing for the printing of year 2001 calendar, table and pocket diaries to the state government (c) that the proposal was approved by the Governor and the money involved is N5,900,000.00 (Five Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) (d) That the contract for the production of these calendar and diaries was awarded by Chief Eze Chikamnayo to one Michael Oduionyenfe alias “Ordion Bits” who is based in Enugu (e) That the conditions of the contract are as follows: (i) 10,000 copies of calendar N2,500,000.00 (ii) 5,000 copies of table diary N2,500,000.00 (iii) 3,000 copies of pocket diary – N900,000.00 total N5,900,000.00 (Five Million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira). (f) That the contactor Ordion Bits was mobritzed with the sum of N1.1m to start the job (g) That by the month of November, 2000, the Chief Eze Chikamanyo (h) That the contractor failed to deliver the rest of the items for non-payment of additional money to him for the job (i) that apart from the mobilization fee amounting to N1.1m, no other money was paid to the contractor. (j) that the said Eze Cikamnayo instead of paying for the contract which the money was approved for paid the remaining balance of money a mounting to N4,800,000.00 (Four Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) into his own personal account with account No. 101335-100 at Hallmark Bank.
Recommendation: Investigation into this case has been concluded. All the necessary document relating to the case have been obtained. I has been established that Chief Eze Chikamnayo who is the former commissioner in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in Abia State, defrauded the state Government to the tune of N4,800,000.00.
It is therefore recommended that he should be charged to court for stealing contrary to Section 390(5) of the Criminal Code. This is subject to your approval, please.
Signed (S. O. Midenda) ACP,
Asst. Comm. of Police, (SCIP)
State Police Headquarters, Umuahia.
THE STATEMENT THAT NAILED CHIKAMNAYO
STATEMENT OF PW. 1
Name: Michael Nd. Odi Onyenfe, Age: Adult, Nationality/Tribe Nigeria/Igbo, Religion: Christianity, Occupation: Professional, Date: 25th June, 2001; Address: No. 15 Umunnachi St. Awka, Enugu.
I, Michael Ndubuisi Odionyenfe having been duly cautioned in English/Igbo Language that I am not oblige to say anything unless I wish to do so, but whatever I say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence. I voluntarily elect to state as follows signed: Michael ND. Odionyenfe 25/6/2001.
Sometime before August, 2000 I and my -elder brother Ikechukwu OdJonyeafe went to the former information and Tourism Commissioner Prince Eze Oaikanmayo to congratulate him on his appointment as a Commissioner in the state and on the process he promised of giving us printing jobs whenever one is available. On a later Sate I went to the Ministry to greet him, he said I should bring a proposal for the printing of roe state executive Ainaanac which I did using my company’s name, Ordion Bits and later on I went to him for a feedback, only to be informed that job has already been given out to one FOTOTAS before he Prince Eze Chikamnayo was made a commissioner in the state. He then asked me to tender quotation on the printing of the state calendar and Diaries for 2001 and on August 7th 2000, I tendered my quotation in the ministry and later on 10th October, 2000 after many visits to the Ministry and later on 10th October, 2000 after many visits to the ministry to know if my proposal has been approved, I was give a letter of invitation to come and process some other relevant papers for the job, Reference No. MICT/COM/52/91 and commence on the job that it has been approved. Then on a letter date in the same October, 2000, I went to the Ministry to remind him of the need to start off with the job, having paid my tender fee in one of my visits before the job could be commenced, he then issued me with a cheque of N1,000,000.00 first and another cheque for mobilization.
Receipt covering the amount received by me made and deposited in the Ministry, After all the documents, the tender fee, the agreement, performance bond by the African Safety Insurance Company, were signed, I then proceeded in the printing of the item i.e. the Calondar and the Diaries (Desk and Pocket). And most importantly the then commissioner’s directive that the job should be ready between December and January, I then left for the production of the job. On November I supplied 1000 copies of the Calendar and then asked him for some more find to enable me finish with the job, but he said I should wait. Then after waiting, I again wrote to the Commission on 4th December, 2000 attaching the receipt covering the amount he has given me and I reminded him of the need to finish with the production on time. In letter I demanded for N3,500,000.00 but the money was not made available. In February, I was invited by the alternate Commissioner Mr. Enyinnaya Ubani who said I should supply their Calendars and Diaries and Informed him that money was the subject matter. And then again I was asked to supply the items and I continued telling them that more money should be provided. After all these harassments I then wrote to the Governor on the 15th of February, intimidating him of my plight and then on 7th of March I was written by the Ministry inviting me. After interrogating me by the present Commissioner Prince Emeka Obasi, I left and on the 6th of April, the Ministry through the Ag. Perm. Sec. wrote and informed me of the executive decision i.e. (Exco of Abia State Government) that the remaining items be supplied and be paid for I then went to my creditors in Lagos issuing them with post dated cheques before they released the Calendars which I supplied to the government printer and demanded for some money to enable., me conclude on the Diaries through my letter on 23′d April, 2001. It was then that I was informed that I have been paid fully, the total sum of N5,900, 000.00 which 1 told them I never received but only the N1. 1m i.e (One Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira) I received as the mobilization. And on 22nd of June I was invited by the state C1D and then on 25th of the same June, 1 honoured the invitation.
In the job order, it was spelt out that the condition of the contract is as follows: 10,000 copies of Calendar for N2,500, 000.00, Desk Diary for N2.500, (5000 copies), Pocket Diary for N900,000.00 (3000 copies) all totaling N5.9m. N5,900, 000.00.
I printed the 10,000 copies of the Calendar and because of the time frame as regards his plan to present the Calendar during Ugwu Abia 2000 I could only realm about 1000 copies which 1 supplied on November 2000 and then requested for more fund:-
He asked me to endeavour to complete with the production of the Calendar and Diaries if 70% of the total sum is made available on or before the end of December, 2000. And with some samples of the Diaries though the Calendars have been ready without being reamed. I asked for money which was not made available. I then entered into agreement with my creditors to realm the Calendar completely which they did
and they said they will release the Calendars only when they are paid for. Because of this I couldn’t supply the entire sum of the calendar until government wrote to me to supply with the letter head and some post dated cheques, they now released the Calendars. I supplied the remaining calendars on 18th April, 2001. The balance of the money to be paid for the Calendar already supplied is N1,400,000.00.1 was paid by his personal cheques of N100, 000.00 and N1,000, 000.00 totaling N1. 1m signed by Prince Eze Chikamnayo. We wrote a contract agreement which was signed but held in the Ministry for stamp duty by the planning officer. I don’t have a copy of it. And in that contract agreement, the term of the contract is clearly stated. Although the Ministry wrote and informed me that my money have been paid but I do not know who they paid it to. I made inquiry as regards their claimed and could only found that the vouchers with which they claimed to have paid me was signed by a different person and even one of the vouchers with which they claimed to have paid me were signed by a different person and even one of the vouchers was having another person’s name before being altered and replaced with my company’s name, (Odorin Bits). I was not aware that my company’s name was used to cash N5.9 million naira from the Hallmark bank Umuahia branch. What remains a mystery to me is how possible it is to cash a cheque written for somebody by another person. Signed: Michael ND. Odionyenfe 25/6/2001.