Amadi denies involvement in gold scam, calls allegations malicious

Anne Amadi, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson candidate and former Judiciary registrar, has refuted allegations linking her to a gold scam. Appearing before the IEBC Selection Panel on Monday, Amadi dismissed the claims as an attempt to tarnish her reputation.

Amadi explained that she had resigned from the law firm at the centre of the gold scam back in 2014 and had no involvement with the firm or its operations when the scandal emerged. She further emphasised that, having no expertise in the gold trade, she played no role in the alleged fraudulent dealings.

"My response is that there was no valid reason for me to be named as the first respondent in that case. I resigned from the firm in 2014 as I was fully committed to my duties within the Judiciary," she said.

She insisted that the accusations against her were baseless and intended to damage her reputation and integrity.

"It was a malicious attack, and when you are in public service, you must be prepared for such things. Public service, at any level, is not for the faint-hearted. This was an attempt to undermine me and tarnish my reputation because I have always upheld my integrity," she said.

She reiterated that she had no expertise in the gold trade and had no role in the alleged dealings.

The allegations surfaced in 2023 when Amadi’s bank accounts were frozen as part of a broader investigation into a gold scam linked to her former law firm, Amadi and Associates Advocates.

The High Court issued a freezing order on May 19, 2023, after authorities named her in the case. The court also extended conservatory orders freezing assets belonging to Amadi’s son, Brain Amadi, who currently manages the firm. However, Amadi maintains that the actions taken against her were unjustified.

Amadi presented evidence to the IEBC panel, including court rulings that affirmed her innocence. She pointed out that both the High Court and the Court of Appeal had ruled in her favour, reaffirming that she had no connection to the gold scam.

"The freezing of my accounts was unjustified, and the courts have since vindicated me. This was a clear attempt to taint my reputation due to my track record in public service," Amadi said.

Amadi also acknowledged the significant challenges faced by the IEBC, particularly in the wake of the unresolved deaths of key electoral officials. Despite the intense scrutiny, she remained steadfast in her belief that the role requires resilience, transparency, and a strong commitment to upholding the law.

"If we do not step forward to serve, then who should? I have considered all the risks, and with my patriotism, I am ready for any eventuality," she told the panel.

She cited her tenure at the Judiciary, where she worked closely with three Chief Justices, helping to restore credibility by reducing audit queries and improving financial transparency.

"When I joined the Judiciary in 2014, there was a lot of anxiety and controversy. There were many integrity concerns in the public domain, but we managed to address them. For example, there were over 50 audit queries, but by the time I left, we had reduced them to five, all of which could be explained," she said.

Amadi stressed that leadership at the IEBC requires a balance of firmness and teamwork to ensure the institution functions effectively.

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"The chairperson must engage commission members effectively to build relationships that advance the commission’s mission. It is not just about introducing an agenda but also about ensuring shared roles and responsibilities," stated the IEBC chairperson candidate.