Ex-Acting Accountant General Nwabuoku Requests Time To Refund Embezzled Funds

Anamekwe Nwabuoku, the former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, has requested additional time from Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja to complete the reimbursement of the funds he and his co-defendant are accused of embezzling.

Nwabuoku and Felix Nweke face 11 counts of money laundering totaling N1.6 billion, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) serving as the prosecuting authority.

The alleged embezzlement occurred while Nwabuoku was Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.

Nwabuoku, the first defendant, was appointed Acting Accountant-General on May 20, 2022, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over alleged N80 billion fraud. He was removed from office in July 2022.

On Wednesday, during the court proceedings, both defendants requested an adjournment to allow time to finalize the refund process.

Nweke’s lawyer, Emeka Onyeaka, informed the court that his client had made significant progress toward settling the matter and had already refunded a substantial amount of the traced funds.

“The second defendant has made substantial refunds and communicated this to the commission,” Onyeaka said. “We request an adjournment to complete the administrative procedures, as a trial might hinder further progress.”

Nwabuoku’s lawyer, Maduakolam Igwe, supported Onyeaka’s request, noting that his client had also made significant refunds and was working with the commission to resolve the issue.

However, EFCC counsel Ogechi Ujam stated that while a proposal letter was received, no formal agreement or settlement had been reached. She urged the court to proceed with the arraignment.

Justice Omotosho has adjourned the case until October 14 for the arraignment.