Court Fixes April 13 for Judgment in N868m Fraud Case Against Former Acting AGoF
A Federal High Court in Abuja has slated April 13, 2026, for judgment in the alleged N868 million money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Chukwunyere Nwabuoku.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Monday after counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, and defence lawyer, Norrison Quakers, SAN, adopted their respective final written addresses and presented arguments for and against the charge.
Nwabuoku was arraigned on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge and was granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like amount.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024 and filed on November 27, 2024, lists him as the sole defendant.
In the first count, the EFCC alleged that the former official conspired with several companies including Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited, all said to be at large, to convert funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged offences contravene Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012) and are punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
The EFCC maintained that the alleged infractions occurred while Nwabuoku served as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
He was appointed acting Accountant-General of the Federation on May 20, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over alleged N80 billion fraud.
However, Nwabuoku was removed from office in July 2022, weeks after his appointment, and was replaced by Sylva Okolieaboh, then a director in the Treasury Single Account Department, amid reports that he was under EFCC investigation.
During the trial, the prosecution called nine witnesses before closing its case. Among them were a Zenith Bank official, Eucharia Ezeodi, and a federal civil servant, Felix Nweke, who testified as prosecution witnesses on January 31, 2025.
On November 13, 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defendant after the prosecution concluded its evidence. In his ruling, the judge held that the EFCC had established a prima facie case requiring the defendant to enter his defence.
He clarified that the ruling did not amount to a declaration of guilt but meant that sufficient grounds existed for Nwabuoku to respond to the allegations in line with his right to fair hearing.
Opening his defence on February 2, 2026, the former acting AGoF urged the court to discharge and acquit him. Testifying through his counsel, he denied being a signatory to certain companies allegedly linked to him.
Earlier in the proceedings, Nwabuoku had explored a plea bargain arrangement in February 2025 but later withdrew. He was initially arraigned alongside Felix Nweke, a subordinate at the Ministry of Defence, and both had indicated interest in a plea deal on October 14, 2024. The arrangement, however, did not materialise.
Subsequently, the EFCC amended the charge, naming Nwabuoku as the sole defendant while listing Nweke as one of its witnesses.
