Chukwunyere Nwabuoku,
Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, on Monday opened his defence before the Federal High Court in Abuja in the ₦868.46 million fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging the court to discharge and acquit him of all charges.
Nwabuoku made the plea while testifying as the first defence witness before trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, shortly after the commencement of his defence.
He was led in evidence by his counsel, Norrison Quakers, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The EFCC is prosecuting the former acting accountant-general on nine counts of money laundering involving the alleged diversion of ₦868,465,000.
Justice Omotosho had, on November 13, 2025, dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defendant, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case warranting the opening of a defence.
The judge, however, emphasised that the ruling did not amount to a finding of guilt, noting that the defendant remained innocent until proven otherwise.
While testifying on Monday, Nwabuoku denied being a signatory or beneficiary of accounts belonging to companies allegedly linked to him.
The companies include Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited.
“I did not sign any document, and my name does not appear in the account opening packages of any of the companies,” Nwabuoku told the court while being led through exhibits tendered by the prosecution.
He confirmed knowing one of the prosecution witnesses, Jerry Nwachukwu, describing him as a contractor registered with the Ministry of Defence even before his appointment as Director of Finance and Accounts in the ministry.
Responding to allegations that he instructed Nwachukwu to purchase a property on his behalf at CityGate, Nwabuoku denied the claim, insisting that he personally purchased the property and that all transaction documents were in his name.
“I did not instruct anyone to buy any property for me. I bought the property myself,” he said, adding that he had served the country for 35 years with an unblemished record.
He also denied being a director or shareholder in Nwachukwu’s company.
On the issue of the refund of ₦220 million during a separate EFCC investigation, Nwabuoku explained that the matter arose during a probe by the Office of the National Security Adviser, where officials allegedly identified an investment linked to him.
He told the court that he earns “not less than ₦70 million annually in dividends,” stressing that the funds were traceable to his bank account and reflected in his stock investment statements.
Nwabuoku further confirmed a civil forfeiture order obtained by the EFCC in a separate suit before another court.
The court order was tendered and admitted in evidence as Exhibit DW-H without objection from the EFCC’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN.
When asked by his lawyer what relief he sought from the court, Nwabuoku replied, “My lord, I want the court to discharge and acquit me in respect of this suit.”
Following his testimony, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until February 10, 2026, for continuation of hearing and cross-examination of the defendant by the EFCC.
Nwabuoku was arraigned on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge and granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million with two sureties in like sum.
The EFCC filed the charges on November 27, 2024.
The alleged offences were said to have been committed between 2019 and 2021, while Nwabuoku served as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Federal Ministry of Defence.
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 alleged ₦80 billion fraud.
He was replaced in July 2022, weeks after his appointment, amid reports that he was under EFCC investigation.
The EFCC closed its case after calling nine witnesses, including bank officials and senior civil servants, to establish the alleged offences.
