Former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has requested an extension from Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja to finalize the refund of public funds allegedly misappropriated by him and his co-defendant.
Nwabuoku and his co-defendant, Felix Nweke, are accused of 11 counts of money laundering amounting to N1.6 billion. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the case.
The alleged offenses occurred during Nwabuoku's tenure as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence from 2019 to 2021.
Nwabuoku is the first defendant, and Nweke is the second defendant in the case (FHC/ABJ/CR/240/24 dated May 20, filed on May 27 by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho).
Nwabuoku assumed the role of acting AGoF on May 20, 2022, following the suspension of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari's AGF, Ahmed Idris, over alleged N80 billion fraud. However, he was removed from office a few weeks later in July 2022.
During the recent court session, the defendants sought a postponement of their arraignment to facilitate the completion of the refund process.
Nweke’s lawyer, Emeka Onyeaka, informed the court about new developments, stating that his client had taken steps toward resolving the matter by making substantial refunds, which the anti-graft agency confirmed receiving.
He mentioned that they had informed the commission upon receiving the charge and were instructed to await their administrative procedure. Since a significant amount had been repaid, the lawyer argued that his client’s arraignment before finalizing the refund might affect the trial.
Nwabuoku's counsel, Maduakolam Igwe, echoed Onyeaka's statements, confirming that his client had also made substantial refunds and requested an adjournment to complete the administrative procedure.
In response, EFCC counsel Ogechi Ujam acknowledged receiving a proposal letter but emphasized that no negotiation, settlement, or agreement had been reached. Despite the circumstances, the EFCC urged the court to proceed with arraigning the defendants.
After considering the arguments, Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until October 14 for the arraignment.