Court has ordered Former Acting Accountant-General, Anamekwe Nwabuoku to enter defence in N868.46 million fraud case.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Anamekwe Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, in connection with the ₦868.46 million fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering the ruling on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho held that the EFCC had presented a prima facie case warranting the defendant to open his defence.
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A no-case submission is a legal motion where a defendant argues that the prosecution has not presented sufficient evidence to warrant a defence.
EFCC’s Case Against Nwabuoku
The EFCC is prosecuting Nwabuoku on a nine-count amended charge bordering on money laundering involving ₦868,465,000. The former AGF pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the anti-graft agency presented nine witnesses to substantiate its case.
EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), opposed the no-case application, insisting that the offences fall under Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended). He noted that evidence from witnesses established that several payments were made to four “front companies” during Nwabuoku’s tenure at the Ministry of Defence (MOD), without any legitimate contractual basis.
Defence Argument
Counsel to the former AGF, Norrison Quakers (SAN), argued that the EFCC lacked jurisdiction over the case, claiming the alleged offences were outside the agency’s legal mandate. He also contended that the prosecution failed to prove that Nwabuoku “indirectly converted” or “concealed” the source of the funds.
Court’s Ruling
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho stated that it was premature at this stage to determine the credibility of witnesses or the weight of evidence presented. He held that the prosecution had provided enough material to require an explanation from the defendant.
“The evidence so far presented requires the defendant to provide explanations or a defence to the allegations, especially as they relate to conspiracy and money laundering,” the judge ruled.
He clarified that his decision was not a declaration of guilt but a directive for the defendant to respond to the issues raised by the prosecution.
“The no-case submission of the defendant therefore fails,” Justice Omotosho declared, overruling the application.
The case was subsequently adjourned to November 24, 2025, for the defence to open its case.
NewsOnline Nigeria earlier reported that Nwabuoku had refunded ₦220 million and a duplex to the EFCC as part of an investigation into alleged advance fee fraud.
The refund was confirmed in an ex parte motion (FHC/ABJ/177/2024) filed by the EFCC before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which also sought to freeze several accounts allegedly linked to the defendant.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Nwabuoku as Acting Accountant-General of the Federation on May 22, 2022, following the suspension of his predecessor, Ahmed Idris, over alleged corruption.
Following the EFCC’s investigation, Nwabuoku was subsequently arraigned on allegations of fraud and money laundering.
