By: Sunday Ameh
The Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has dismissed a no-case submission filed by the former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, in an ongoing trial over alleged diversion and money laundering involving N868 million.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter, ruled on Thursday that Nwabuoku has a case to answer and must open his defence to the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court held that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case requiring the defendant to respond to the allegations.
Nwabuoku is facing an amended nine-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal diversion of public funds amounting to N868,465,000. The EFCC alleged that the offences were committed during his tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Federal Ministry of Defence, prior to his appointment as Acting Accountant-General of the Federation in 2022.
During the hearing, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) urged the court to reject the no-case submission, insisting that the evidence presented was sufficient to compel the defendant to open his defence. Iheanacho further cited testimonies from several witnesses, including ministry officials and representatives of companies that allegedly received unlawful payments under the defendant’s watch.
According to the prosecution, the transactions violated Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), which criminalizes the transfer or conversion of funds derived from unlawful activities. “The testimonies of witnesses clearly show that there were illegal financial dealings between the Ministry of Defence and the companies that received the payments while the defendant was in charge of the ministry’s accounts,” Iheanacho told the court.
However, defence counsel Norrison I. Quakers (SAN) argued that the EFCC lacked the legal authority to prosecute his client, claiming that no credible evidence linked Nwabuoku directly to the alleged diversion of funds. He maintained that the charges were speculative and unsupported by documentary or testimonial proof showing that his client personally benefited from the transactions.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho dismissed the arguments of the defence, emphasizing that at the stage of a no-case submission, the court is not required to evaluate the credibility of witnesses or the weight of evidence. He held that the evidence presented by the EFCC was substantial enough to warrant the defendant’s response.
“The no-case submission of the defendant therefore fails,” Justice Omotosho ruled.
The case, which has drawn significant public interest due to Nwabuoku’s former high-ranking role in the nation’s financial management, has been adjourned to November 24, 2025, for the continuation of trial.
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