By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a no-case submission filed by former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), Mr. Anamekwe Nwabuoku, who is facing charges of money laundering amounting to ₦868 million.
Delivering the ruling, Justice James Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had established a prima facie case against Nwabuoku, warranting him to open his defence.
The judge stated that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to justify the continuation of the trial.
“In view of all the exhibits and the evidence presented by the prosecution, the defendant needs to offer explanations in these regards,” Justice Omotosho said.
He clarified that the ruling did not amount to a declaration of guilt but was to afford the defendant his constitutional right to a fair hearing.
“Holding that a prima facie case has been established does not imply that the court finds the defendant guilty of the charge,” he said. “The defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution must still prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.”
Justice Omotosho added that directing Nwabuoku to open his defence would allow him to clear all unresolved issues and exhaust his legal options.
He consequently adjourned the case to November 24, November 25, and December 9 for the defendant to open and close his defence.
The court had earlier reserved ruling on the no-case submission after hearing arguments from both parties on November 3. Nwabuoku’s counsel, Mr. Harrison Quakers (SAN), had urged the court to dismiss the charges for lack of evidence, while EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), opposed the application.
Nwabuoku was admitted to ₦500 million bail with two sureties in like sum after he was arraigned on January 15 on a nine-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024.
In the charge, the EFCC alleged that Nwabuoku—while serving as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021—conspired with several companies, including Temeeo Synergy Concept Ltd (at large), Turge Global Investment Ltd (at large), Laptev Bridge Ltd, and Arafura Transnational Afro Ltd (at large), to convert public funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The offence, according to the EFCC, contravenes Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012), and is punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
Nwabuoku was appointed Acting Accountant-General of the Federation on May 20, 2022, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged ₦80 billion fraud.
However, he was removed from office in July 2022, barely weeks after his appointment, amid reports that he was under EFCC investigation and was succeeded by Sylva Okolieaboh, a Director in the Treasury Single Account (TSA) Department.
During trial, the EFCC called nine witnesses, including Eucharia Ezeodi, a Zenith Bank Plc staff, and Felix Nweke, a director in the Federal Civil Service, before closing its case.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
