Against this backcloth, it becomes very easy to imagine the present agony of the custodians of the “Ebeano” brand in view of the dust raised lately over the EFCC “siege” on some top officials of the state. For sure, “Ebeano” is widely taken already as a complete package: the clarity of vision and the ruthlessness of will, especially against a “silicon godfather”. Of course, that perception was nurtured over the years by the engaging style of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani as a speaker and, undeniably, his industry on the field.

Now, political opponents will definitely do anything to promote that EFCC story against Nnamani, not minding that it is actually part of the unintended consequences of a mere council squabble. The motive can be imagined: do incalculable damage to the “Ebeano” brand. The story started after a certain council chairman in the state was suspended by the administration of Chimaroke Nnamani over allegation of manslaughter. No sooner had the man been relieved of office than he, as the report goes further, sent a petition to EFCC accusing those he perceived to have caused his downfall of financial impropriety. Trust, EFCC never hears such stories without going for brokes.

Of course, being “invited” (often interpreted as “arrested” by the media) by EFCC is one thing; to be found guilty is another thing. Now that political vendetta appears to be assuming an epidemic proportion across the land, the issue is no longer whether guilt is eventually established. What is important to those seeking vengeance is to have the name their quarries smeared with that label – “EFCC arrest”.

But in all of this, Governor Nnamani has done what is rare and commendable in the circumstance. He volunteered to cast aside his constitutional immunity to face the EFCC purgatory to prove that all the allegations are nothing but the handiwork of die-hard political detractors.

To be caught in the muddle would be more ironic for someone like Nnamani. Only few months ago, Enugu was adjudged by a reputable international body, Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom, in conjunction with the National Planning Commission (NPC), as the most efficient in terms of resource allocation and project delivery in the country. The great irony is that whereas it is a fact that the state ranks among those that receive the least from the federation account, Nnamani continues to confound development watchers with the number of monuments he has built so far in Enugu, one of which is the breathtaking permanent site of the Enugu State Teaching Hospital. It takes prudence to achieve that.

It is perhaps for this singular attribute that DFID today appears to have a soft spot for Nnamani, who has a successful career as a surgeon in the United States. What with sundry partnerships the UK body has involved Enugu in the last six years in terms of provision of technical backup. Only two weeks ago came a report that the organization had donated medical equipment and supplies worth N156 million for the seven district hospitals in Enugu.

DFID must be seeing something others don’t see.