Ex-Accountant General begs for time to refund looted funds

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 his co-defendant are accused of embezzling.



Nwabuoku and Felix Nweke, his co-defendant, are accused on 11 counts of money laundering totaling N1.6 billion.



The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is pursuing legal action against them.



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, submitted by Ekele Iheanacho, the EFCC's attorney, whilst Nwabuoku is the first defendant.



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 office in July 2022, he was dismissed.



The defendants asked the court to postpone their arraignment until a later time so they could finalise the repayment when the case was called on Wednesday.



Emeka Onyeaka, Nweke's attorney, told the judge of a recent development in the case.



He informed the judge that his client had made efforts to reach a settlement.



According to the attorney, Nweke made substantial refunds of the money traced to him by the anti-graft agency.

As there is a communication to the commission regarding the alleged offences on making a refund, the second defendant has taken action.



"The commission has acknowledged receiving the funds and has committed to keeping us informed," he stated.

After receiving the charges, the defence attorney stated, "We spoke with the commission and we were asked to wait for their administrative procedure."



He claimed that if his client was arraigned, it would have an impact on the trial because a significant amount had been reimbursed.



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.



Igwe claimed that his client had made the same decisions and that a significant amount had been refunded.

"We have addressed this in writing 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?"



Ogechi Ujam, the EFCC's attorney, responded by acknowledging that the commission had received a proposal letter, but she also stated that "no negotiation has been made, no settlement has been done, and no agreement has been reached by parties."

“In the circumstances, we urge this honourable court to allow us to arraign the defendants.”

After hearing the parties out, Justice Omotosho adjourned till October 14 for arraignment.