By Taiye Agbaje
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a no-case submission filed by former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), Anamekwe Nwabuoku,.
He is charged with money laundering offences to the tune of N868 million.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, held that a prima facie case had been made out against Nwabuoku by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) NDLEA to warrant him to enter his defence.
Justice Omotosho held that the evidence of the prosecution had founded sufficient ground for proceeding with the trial.
“in view of all the exhibits and the evidence of the prosecution, the defendant needs to give some explanations in these regards,” he said.
According to the judge, this is not to say that the defendant is guilty as charged but simply that they be afforded their right to fair hearing and put in their defence before this court.
“I must say here that holding that a prima facie case has been established does not necessarily imply that the court finds the defendants guilty of the charge,” he said
Justice Omotosho said that for Nwabuoku to open his defence was to allow him exhaust the options for his defence and to clear every unresolved issue.
“The defendant is still presumed innocent until proven guilty and the prosecution still has the duty to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge said.
He, however, said that a prima facie case of engaging in money laundering, among other offences, had been established against the ex-AGoF.
The judge, who said that the court was inclined to giving Nwabuoku the opportunity to defend himself, however said that this could be waived expressly or by conduct.
Justice Omotosho consequently adjourned the matter until Nov. 24, Nov. 25 and Dec. 9 for Nwabuoku to open and close his defence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge had, on Nov. 3, fixed today for the ruling on the no-case submission.
Justice Omotosho fixed the date after counsel for Nwabuoku, Harrison Quakers, and lawyer to EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the application.
NAN reports that Nwabuoku was admitted to a N500 million bail with two sureties in the like sum after he was arraigned on Jan. 15 on a nine-count amended charge.
The EFCC had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, listed Nwabuoku as sole defendant.
In count one of the charge filed on Nov. 27, 2024, the EFCC alleged that Nnabuoku, alongside Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited (at large), Turge Global Investment Limited (at large), Laptev Bridge Limited, Arafura Transnational Afro Limited (at large) and other persons (all at large) conspired to convert funds.
The funds were said to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The anti-graft agency said the offence was contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as (amended by Act No. 1 of 2012) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
Nwabuoku was alleged to have perpetrated the act while he served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
Nwabuoku was later appointed acting AGoF on May 20, 2022 under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari after Ahmed Idris was suspended as AGoF over alleged N80 billion fraud.
He was, however, removed in July 2022, few weeks after assumed office.
Sylva Okolieaboh, a Director at the Treasury Single Account (TSA) Department, replaced Nwabuoku as acting AGoF.
Okolieaboh’s appointment followed a report that Nwabuoku was under the radar of EFCC over corruption allegations.
On Jan. 31, 2025, the 1st prosecution witness (PW-1), Eucharia Ezeodi, a Zenith Bank Plc staff, and a director with the federal civil service, Felix Nweke, a PW-2, gave their testimonies against the defendant.
The anti-graft agency, however, closed its case after calling nine witnesses to establish its case against Nwabuoku.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)