Ex-Acting AGF Admits Approving Transfers to Four Firms in N868.4m Fraud Trial
A former Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, on Tuesday admitted before a Federal High Court in Abuja that he authorised the transfer of funds from the Ministry of Defence to four private companies for what he described as “classified purposes.”
Nwabuoku made the admission while testifying before Justice James Omotosho during proceedings in his ongoing trial over an alleged N868,465,000 fraud.
Under cross-examination by prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, the defendant was confronted with a statement he made to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) dated February 2, 2025. In the statement, he acknowledged that while serving as Director of Finance at the Ministry of Defence, funds were transferred under his supervision to four companies for security-related purposes that could not be publicly disclosed.
The companies named in the transactions are Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited.
The admission appeared to contradict his earlier testimony in court, where he denied any dealings with the companies and claimed he only became aware of their names during court proceedings.
During further questioning, the prosecution maintained that evidence before the court indicated that the payments made to the four companies were not backed by proof of legitimate security operations, arguing that there was no documentation to establish that the funds were used for lawful classified activities.
The defendant also addressed the issue of a property he currently occupies, insisting that he personally purchased it from legitimate earnings.
However, in the same testimony, he identified a cheque for N64 million issued by Mdavi Limited to City Gate Homes in connection with the acquisition of the residence.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Nwabuoku on an amended nine-count charge bordering on money laundering involving N868,465,000.
After the day’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until February 27, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.
