By TAIYE AGBAJE

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, fixed April 13 for judgment in the N868 million money laundering case filed by the EFCC against former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), Mr Chukwunyere Nwabuoku.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, and the ex-AGoF’s counsel, Norrison Quakers, SAN, adopted their final written addresses and presented their arguments for and against the case.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwabuoku was admitted to a N500 million bail with two sureties in the like sum after he was arraigned on Jan. 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge.

The EFCC had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, listed Nwabuoku as sole defendant.

In count one of the charge filed on Nov. 27, 2024, the EFCC alleged that Nwabuoku, alongside Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited (at large), Turge Global Investment Limited (at large), Laptev Bridge Limited, Arafura Transnational Afro Limited (at large) and other persons (all at large) conspired to convert funds.

The funds were said to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The anti-graft agency said the offence was contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as (amended by Act No. 1 of 2012) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

Nwabuoku was alleged to have perpetrated the act while he served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.

Nwabuoku was later appointed acting AGoF on May 20, 2022 under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari after Ahmed Idris was suspended as AGoF over alleged N80 billion fraud.

Nwabuoku was, however, removed in July 2022, few weeks after assumed office.

Sylva Okolieaboh, a Director at the Treasury Single Account (TSA) Department, replaced Nwabuoku as acting AGoF.

Okolieaboh’s appointment followed a report that Nwabuoku was under the radar of EFCC over corruption allegations.

On Jan. 31, 2025, the 1st prosecution witness (PW-1), Eucharia Ezeodi, a Zenith Bank Plc staff, and a director with the federal civil service, Felix Nweke, a PW-2, gave their testimonies against the defendant.

The anti-graft agency, however, closed its case after calling nine witnesses to establish its case against Nwabuoku.

Justice Omotosho had, on Nov. 13, 2025, dismissed Nwabuoku’s no-case submission he opted for after the prosecution closed its case.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, held that a prima facie case had been made out against Nwabuoku by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) NDLEA to warrant him to enter his defence.

The judge held that the evidence of the prosecution had founded sufficient ground for proceeding with the trial.

He said in view of all the exhibits and the evidence of the prosecution, the defendant needed to give some explanations in these regards.

According to the judge, this is not to say that the defendant is guilty as charged but simply that they be afforded their right to fair hearing and put in their defence before this court.

Nwabuoku, who opened his defence on Feb. 2, 2026, prayed the court to acquit and discharge him of the alleged N868.46 million fraud case preferred against him by the anti-graft agency.

Led in evidence by his lawyer, Quakers, the former AGoF denied being a signatory to some companies allegedly linked to him.

NAN recalls that Nwabuoku had, in February 2025, opted for plea bargain before he changed his mind.

The ex-AGoF was earlier arraigned with Felix Nweke, who worked under him in the Federal Ministry of Defence.

Both defendants, on Oct. 14, 2024, equally opted for a plea bargain agreement with the EFCC, which was eventually not carried through.

The commission, subsequently, amended the charge and listed Nwabuoku as the sole defendant, with Nweke as one of its witnesses. (NAN)

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