A former Governor of Enugu State, Dr.
Chimaroke Nnamani, on Monday told the
Federal High Court in Lagos that he is still
medically unfit to stand trial for alleged
money laundering.
His lawyer, Chief Rickey Tarfa (SAN), said he
was yet to make a full recovery from a
chronic chest pain.
It is seven years since the former governor
was arraigned, and trial is yet to begin.
The court, presided over by Justice
Mohammed Yunusa, granted Nnamani yet
another leave to travel overseas for a
medical check-up.
On April 17, last year, the judge had
permitted the former governor to travel
overseas for medical reasons. One month
later, the court granted an application
seeking to extend the time for him to
conclude his treatment abroad.
On September 25, last year, Nnamani was
absent in court, and the judge further
adjourned till December 12 as he (judge) was
attending a conference that day, and the trial
was fixed for March 5 this year.
The trial suffered yet another setback as the
defence counsel sought an adjournment
because, according to him, the case was not
slated for trial but for “mention” (further
directions).
On June 17, Nnamani’s lawyer said his client
was suffering from a “chronic” heart problem,
having undergone surgery and was yet to
recover. He prayed the court to permit him to
travel abroad for a check-up.
Mr. Oluyele Delano (SAN), who represented
Nnamani that day, argued that the principle
of fair hearing required that his client must
be medically fit enough to stand trial.
He said: “The first accused person is
seriously ill. He has undergone a quadruple
bypass, an open heart surgery, and while
there was relative success with regard to the
surgery, he has had to embark on a slow,
tedious recovery process.
“Unfortunately, he recently suffered a setback
to his health in that he continues to suffer
chronic chest pains, which the doctors
suspect that it may be that his heart is
rejecting the pacemaker that has been
installed there.
“My Lord, a dead man cannot be tried. I
humbly crave the indulgence of the court to
give us more time to be in a position to
vigorously defend the allegations against us.
“The doctrine of fair hearing acknowledges
the need for the accused person not to be
prejudiced in his ability to defend the
accusations against him on account of ill
health”.
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