Ex-acting accountant-general’s trial begins over alleged N868.4 million fraud

The trial of former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, commenced on Friday, January 31, 2025, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Nwabuoku on a nine-count amended charge of money laundering, amounting to ₦868,465,000. The case revolves around alleged funds siphoned from the Federal Ministry of Defence into multiple accounts linked to the defendant.
During the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, presented two witnesses who testified on how the alleged fraud was executed.
One of the witnesses, Eucharia Ezeobi, a staff member of Zenith Bank, told the court that she facilitated the opening of four company accounts—Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited—for contractors associated with the Defence Ministry. She revealed that large sums were withdrawn in cash from these accounts, allegedly for Nwabuoku’s benefit. The court admitted the account opening documents as Exhibit PWB.
The second witness, Felix Nweke, a Deputy Director of Accounts and Expenditures under Nwabuoku’s supervision, testified that the defendant instructed him to open the four accounts. According to Nweke, funds were transferred from the Defence Ministry’s security operation account to the company accounts, after which they were withdrawn in cash and handed over to Nwabuoku.
Under cross-examination, the defence counsel, Isidore Udenko, questioned whether the withdrawals were solely authorized by Nwabuoku or if a higher authority was involved. Nweke insisted that he acted strictly on instructions from the defendant.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the trial to February 26 and March 5, 2025, for continuation.