The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has scheduled April 13 to deliver judgment in the N868 million money laundering trial involving former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Monday after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), and defence lawyer, Norrison Quakers (SAN), adopted their final written addresses and presented arguments supporting and opposing the charges.
Nwabuoku was granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like amount following his arraignment on January 15, 2025, on an amended nine-count charge. The EFCC listed him as the only defendant in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024.
In the first count of the charge filed on November 27, 2024, the commission alleged that Nwabuoku conspired with Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited (at large), Turge Global Investment Limited (at large), Laptev Bridge Limited, Arafura Transnational Afro Limited (at large), and other persons said to be at large to convert funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The anti-graft agency maintained that the alleged offence contravened 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 same law.
According to the EFCC, the alleged infractions occurred between 2019 and 2021 while Nwabuoku served as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence. He was later 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, Nwabuoku’s tenure was cut short in July 2022, just weeks after his appointment. Sylva Okolieaboh, then a director in the Treasury Single Account Department, succeeded him in acting capacity amid reports that the EFCC was investigating him over corruption allegations.
During the trial, the prosecution called nine witnesses before closing its case. Among them were PW-1, Eucharia Ezeodi, a staff member of Zenith Bank Plc and a director in the federal civil service, as well as PW-2, Felix Nweke, also a director in the civil service, who testified against the former AGoF on January 31, 2025.
On November 13, 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed Nwabuoku’s no-case submission filed after the prosecution closed its case. In his ruling, the judge held that a prima facie case had been established by the EFCC, requiring the defendant to enter his defence.
The court ruled that the prosecution’s evidence and exhibits presented sufficient grounds for the trial to proceed. The judge clarified that this did not amount to a finding of guilt but underscored the need for the defendant to exercise his right to fair hearing by presenting his defence.
Nwabuoku opened his defence on February 2, 2026, urging the court to discharge and acquit him of the alleged N868.46 million fraud. Testifying through his counsel, Quakers, he denied being a signatory to certain companies allegedly linked to him.
Earlier in February 2025, the former AGoF had indicated interest in a plea bargain arrangement but later withdrew.
He was initially arraigned alongside Felix Nweke, a subordinate from the Ministry of Defence. Both men had, on October 14, 2024, opted for a plea bargain with the EFCC, which was not concluded.
Subsequently, the commission amended the charge, retaining Nwabuoku as the sole defendant while listing Nweke among its witnesses.
