Anamekwe Nwabuoku, former acting accountant-general of the federation
A federal high court in Abuja, the nation’s capital, has dismissed the no-case submission filed by Anamekwe Nwabuoku, former acting accountant-general of the federation.
Delivering the ruling on Thursday, James Omotosho, the presiding judge, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had established a prima facie case against Nwabuoku, requiring him to enter his defence.
The judge said the prosecution’s evidence and exhibits are sufficient to warrant the continuation of the trial.
“In view of all the exhibits and the evidence of the prosecution, the defendant needs to give some explanations in these regards,” the judge said.
Advertisement
“I must say here that holding that a prima facie case has been established does not necessarily imply that the court finds the defendants guilty of the charge.
“The defendant is still presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution still has the duty to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Omotosho said the court was inclined to give Nwabuoku the opportunity to defend himself, noting that such an opportunity could be waived either expressly or by conduct.
Advertisement
The judge adjourned the case to November 24, 25, and December 9 for the defendant to open and close his defence.
Nwabuoku was arraigned on a nine-count amended charge bordering on money laundering.
He was granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, the anti-graft agency accused Nwabuoku of conspiring with several companies, including Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited, to convert funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Advertisement
The alleged offence, according to the EFCC, contravenes section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012), and is punishable under section 15(3) of the Act.
The commission said Nwabuoku committed the offences while serving as the director of finance and accounts in the ministry of defence between 2019 and 2021.
He was later appointed as the acting accountant-general of the federation on May 20, 2022, by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over alleged N80 billion fraud.
But Nwabuoku was removed from the position in July 2022, barely weeks after assuming office, following reports that he was under EFCC investigation.
Advertisement
