RismadarVoice Reporters
March 2, 2026
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 13, 2026, for judgment in the alleged N868 million money laundering case against a former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Chukwunyere Nwabuoku.
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter for judgment on Monday after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, and defence counsel, Norrison Quakers, SAN, adopted their final written addresses, presented arguments for and against the charge.
Nwabuoku was arraigned on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
He was granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like amount. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, lists him as the sole defendant.
The EFCC alleged that Nwabuoku, while serving as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021, conspired with several companies including Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited to convert funds said 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 Act.
Nwabuoku was appointed Acting Accountant-General of the Federation on May 20, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged N80 billion fraud.
However, he was removed from office in July 2022 and replaced by Sylva Okolieaboh amid reports of EFCC investigation.
During the trial, the prosecution called nine witnesses, including a Zenith Bank official, Eucharia Ezeodi, and a federal civil servant, Felix Nweke.
On November 13, 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defendant, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring him to enter a defence, although the court noted that this did not amount to a finding of guilt.
Nwabuoku opened his defence on February 2, 2026, urging the court to discharge and acquit him.
He denied being a signatory to the companies linked to the charges.
The former AGF had earlier explored a plea bargain with the EFCC in February 2025 but later withdrew.
The anti-graft agency subsequently amended the charge, retaining Nwabuoku as the sole defendant while listing Nweke among its witnesses.
Judgment is now awaited.
