A guilty thief is always at the mercy of the law. The authorities decide what term of prison is due. The authorities also determine the prison facility for the thief if found guilty. That is not the case for the former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaraoke Nnamani, although still facing trials; he is telling it loud that he would want to be remanded at Ikoyi Prisons instead of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC detention facility Federal High Court in Lagos.

The ex-governor spoke through his lead counsel, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN) at the Federal High Court in Lagos. Tarfa informed Justice Peter Olayiwola that the development would be part of history.

Nnamani is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended 105-count bordering on money laundering and illegal diversion of N39.6bn and $8.2m belonging to the state to private pockets.

The suspect was alleged to have perpetrated the financial crimes through two accomplices, Mr. Sunday Anyaogu and Mr. Sylvia Onwubumeli, and six firms between August 2003 and May 2007.

The firms are- Rainbownet Nig Ltd, Hill Gate Nig Ltd, Cosmos FM , Capital city Automobile Nig (Ltd), Renaissance University Teaching Hospital, Renaissance University and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

The new charge sheet was dated July 26. It was signed by Mr. S. K. Atteh.

The former governor was initially arraigned on a 34-count charge, which was withdrawn on Thursday.

The offences are contrary to Sections 14 (1) and 17 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004.

Nnamani‘s arraignment was the climax of a vigil by his supporters and journalists at the court since Monday.

When Nnamani was ushered into the courtroom at exactly 11.20am on Thursday by EFCC agents, his sympathizers still addressed him as ‘His Excellency‘.

As soon as he moved toward the upper area of the courtroom, his sympathizers kept on shouting ‘Ebeano.’

And the accused simply replied, “I feel very safe here. It is good to see you.”