Alleged N868.4m Fraud: Witnesses Narrate How Former Acting Accountant General Diverted Defence Ministry’s Funds



The trial of the former Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, began on Friday, January 31, 2025, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja. Witnesses recounted how Nwabuoku, as the former Director of Finance and Account in the Federal Ministry of Defence, allegedly opened multiple bank accounts through which he diverted ministry funds.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Nwabuoku on a nine-count amended charge of money laundering, totaling N868,465,000 (Eight Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand Naira).

During Friday’s proceedings, Prosecution Counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, presented two witnesses. The first witness, Prosecution Witness 1 (PW1), Eucharia Ezeobi, a staff member at Zenith Bank, testified that she opened accounts for four companies—Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited—which were meant for contractors working with the Federal Ministry of Defence. She revealed that much of the funds from these accounts were moved via cash withdrawals, from which the defendant significantly benefited.

The accounts-opening packages, marked as Exhibits PWB, were shown to the witness, and she confirmed their authenticity when asked by the court.

The second witness, Prosecution Witness 2 (PW2), Felix Nweke, who was the Deputy Director of Accounts and Expenditure under Nwabuoku’s supervision, testified that Nwabuoku instructed him to open the four company accounts. Subsequently, funds were transferred from the Federal Ministry of Defence’s Security Operation Account into these company accounts. PW2 further explained that funds in the accounts were typically withdrawn in cash and handed over to Nwabuoku.

When asked by the defense counsel whether the withdrawals were solely initiated by Nwabuoku or if there was a higher authority involved, PW2 clarified that he only took instructions from Nwabuoku, his superior in the ministry’s hierarchy.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to February 26, 2025, and March 5, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.


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