In a recent development, a high court in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, has issued a bench warrant against former governor Rotimi Amaechi and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Tonye Cole. Justice Chinwendu Nwogu took this action in response to a lawsuit filed by the Rivers state government, accusing the defendants of misappropriating public funds during Amaechi’s tenure as governor from 2007 to 2015.
The bench warrant was also issued against Sahara Energy Resources Limited, Chamberlain Peterside, NG powers HPS Limited, and Cenpropsaroten Management Limited. These entities are implicated in the alleged misappropriation of public funds.
Failure to appear in court to face the criminal charges prompted the issuance of the bench warrant against the defendants.
Tensions between Amaechi and Governor Nyesom Wike escalated when Governor Wike established a seven-member panel in 2022 to investigate allegations that Amaechi withdrew N96 billion from the state treasury during his time as governor.
The investigation focused on the sale of valuable assets, including the Omoku Gas Turbine, Afam Gas Turbine, Trans Amadi Gas Turbine, Eleme Gas Turbine, Olympia Hotel, and the awarding of the monorail project contract.
Amaechi maintains his innocence regarding the fraud allegations. However, his application challenging the investigation was denied by the Supreme Court.
Despite efforts to contact Amaechi’s team for comment.
