The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed April 13, 2026, for judgment in the alleged N868 million money laundering case against a former acting accountant-general of the federation, Mr. Chukwunyere Nwabuoku.
Justice James Omotosho announced the date on Monday after counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, and the defense lawyer, Norrison Quakers, SAN, adopted their final written addresses and presented arguments for and against the charge.
Nwabuoku was arrested on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended accusation and granted bail of N500 million with two sureties of like amounts.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, lists him as the single defendant.
The EFCC claimed that between 2019 and 2021, Nwabuoku conspired with several companies, including Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited, to convert funds suspected of being the proceeds of illegal activities.
The anti-graft agency states that the offenses violate Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012), and are punishable under Section 15(3) of the Act.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Nwabuoku as acting accountant-general of the federation on May 20, 2022, after Ahmed Idris was suspended for an alleged N80 billion fraud.
He was dismissed from government in July 2022 and replaced by Sylva Okolieaboh amid allegations of EFCC involvement.
During the trial, the prosecution presented nine witnesses, including Zenith Bank official Eucharia Ezeodi and federal civil servant Felix Nweke.
On November 13, 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed Nwabuoku’s no-case motion, saying that a prima facie case had been proven but did not imply guilt.
On February 2, 2026, Nwabuoku began his defense, begging the court to discharge and acquit him, denying that he was a signatory to the companies involved in the charges.
He had previously considered a plea bargain in February 2025 but withdrew.
The commission later changed the allegation, leaving Nwabuoku as the sole defendant while including Nweke as a witness.
