Anamekwe Nwabuoku, former acting accountant-general of the federation
The federal high court in Abuja has fixed November 13 for ruling on a no-case submission filed by Anamekwe Nwabuoku, former acting accountant-general of the federation.
James Omotosho, the presiding judge, scheduled the date on Monday after counsel for both parties—Harrison Quakers for the defendant and Ekele Iheanacho for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)—adopted their final written addresses.
Quakers argued that the evidence and exhibits presented by the EFCC were insufficient to establish a prima facie case against Nwabuoku.
He prayed the court to discharge and acquit the former acting accountant-general of the federation.
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However, Iheanacho opposed the application, contending that the anti-graft agency, through its nine witnesses and tendered exhibits, presented enough evidence to warrant the defendant’s entering 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.
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In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, the EFCC 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.
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 alleged offences while serving as director of finance and accounts in the ministry of defence between 2019 and 2021.
He was later appointed 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.
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But Nwabuoku was removed from the position in July 2022, barely weeks after assuming office, following reports that he was under EFCC investigation.
The court will decide on November 13 whether he has a case to answer or should be discharged.
