N1.6b Fraud: Former Accountant-General, Nwabuoku enters plea bargain with EFCC

October 14, 2024

By Ayinde Adeleke

The former Accountant-General of the Federation, Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has entered into a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N1.6 billion fraud.

Nwabuoku, alongside his co-defendant, Felix Nweke, a former Deputy Director in the Ministry of Defence, is facing an 11-count money laundering charge preferred against them by the EFCC.

According to court documents, Nwabuoku and Nweke allegedly perpetrated the fraud while Nwabuoku served as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.

During the recent court proceedings, Nwabuoku’s counsel pleaded with Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant his client more time to conclude the refund of the allegedly siphoned public funds.

Nweke’s lawyer, Emeka Onyeaka, informed the court that his client had made substantial refunds to the EFCC and provided documentation to support the claim. “The 2nd defendant has taken steps, as there is a communication to the commission via-a-vis the alleged offenses on making refund.

The commission is in receipt of the money and promised to communicate to us,” Onyeaka stated.

However, the EFCC’s counsel, Ogechi Ujam, clarified that while a proposal letter had been received, no negotiation or agreement had been reached.

Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the case until October 14 for arraignment, pending the outcome of the plea bargain negotiations.

This development marks a significant milestone in the EFCC’s efforts to tackle corruption and recover public funds. The outcome of the plea bargain agreement will be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for future corruption cases.

The EFCC has been intensifying its efforts to combat financial crimes, and this case highlights the commission’s commitment to holding public officials accountable for their actions.