Anamekwe Nwabuoku, a former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, begged Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday to grant him further time to complete the reimbursement of the public funds that he and the co-defendant in the lawsuit are accused of embezzling.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed an 11-count money laundering indictment against Nwabuoku and his co-defendant, Felix Nweke. Nwabuoku and Nweke, a former deputy director in the Ministry of Defense, are facing charges amounting to N1.6 billion for money laundering offenses.
Nwabuoku and Nweke, a former deputy director in the Ministry of Defense, are facing charges amounting to N1.6 billion for money laundering offenses. The defendants were charged with performing the conduct between 2019 and 2021 when Nwabuoku was the Ministry of Defence’s Director of Finance and Accounts.
Nweke is the second defendant in the charge with the file number FHC/ABJ/CR/240/24, dated May 20, filed by EFCC attorney Ekele Iheanacho, on May 27. Nwabuoku is the first defendant in the case. On May 20, 2022, acting AGoF Nwabuoku was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari following Ahmed Idris’ suspension as AGF due to a purported N80 billion scam.
But a few weeks after taking the office in July 2022, he was dismissed.
The defendants asked the court to postpone their arraignment until a later time so they could finalize the reimbursement when the case was called on Wednesday. To receive their plea, the defendants were docketed. Emeka Onyeaka, Nweke’s attorney, told the judge of a recent development in the case.
He informed the court that his client had made some progress in reaching a settlement. According to the attorney, Nweke has returned a significant amount of the money that the anti-graft agency has linked to him. As there is a communication to the commission regarding the alleged offenses on issuing a refund, the second defendant has taken action.
He stated, “The commission has been given the money and has agreed to get back to us.
“After being served with the charge on Monday, we spoke with the commission and were requested to wait for their administrative procedure,” stated Onyeaka.
He said that such an action would impact the trial because a significant sum had been reimbursed in the event that his client was indicted. In order to allow them to complete the administrative process, he begged the court for an adjournment.
Nwabuoku’s representative, Maduakolam Igwe, supported Onyeaka’s surrender. According to Igwe, his client followed the same procedures and received a sizable reimbursement.
Regarding this, “we have written to the commission. Some refunds have also been issued by the first defendant. He confirmed, May I accept my learner friend’s submission to clean up the administrative procedure?”
In response, Ogechi Ujam, the EFCC’s attorney, stated, “However, no negotiation has been made, no settlement has been done, and no agreement has been reached by parties.” She confirmed that the commission had received a proposal letter.
She states that given the circumstances, we humbly request permission from this honorable court to arraign the defendants. “Set an appointment for your arraignment,” Justice Omotosho replied. The matter was postponed until October 14 for arraignment after counsel gave their consent.
The Arafura Transnational Afro Limited, Nwabuoku, Nweke, Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and other individuals (at large) were accused by the EFCC of converting funds obtained through illegal activities to their own personal use.
The Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012) prohibits money laundering, and the offense is penalized under Sections 15(2)(b) and (3) of the same Act.
N262, 602,897.27 (Two Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Six Hundred and Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Seven Naira Twenty Seven Kobo) was indirectly changed in count two by Nwabuoku, Felix, Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited (at large) between September 2019 and October 2020 in Abuja.
It was claimed that the money was paid into Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited’s (at large) 1016901286 Zenith Bank account with knowledge that it was the results of illegal conduct.
The EFCC claimed that the offense violates Section 15(2)(b) and that it is criminal, among other things, under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as modified by Act No. 1 of 2012).
