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.

The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a government official and two traditional rulers in connection with the killing of four persons during a violent land dispute in Edda Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this on Monday in Abakaliki while speaking with newsmen.

Ukandu said Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, the Coordinator of the Amasiri Development Centre in Afikpo, was arrested alongside two traditional rulers from the Amasiri community—Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia.

According to him, the arrests followed a joint security operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He added that the latest arrests bring the number of suspects detained in connection with the killings to at least 10, noting that investigations are still ongoing.

The killings reportedly stemmed from a long-standing land dispute between the people of Okporojor in Oso Edda community, Edda Local Government Area, and their neighbours from Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area.

Police said suspected warlords from the Amasiri community attacked Okporojor village on January 29, killing and beheading four persons, as well as burning houses and destroying other properties.

“Yes, following the Thursday attack, the coordinator of Amasiri, two traditional rulers and other individuals have been arrested by a joint security team. All suspects are currently in our custody, and investigations are continuing,” Ukandu said.

He assured that the police and other security agencies would ensure that all those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.

In response to the violence, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, had earlier taken decisive action by sacking political appointees from the Amasiri community and dethroning traditional rulers accused of complicity in the crisis.

During a visit to the affected Okporojor community on Saturday, the governor said the state government could no longer tolerate repeated violence in the area.

“All government appointees from Amasiri, from development centre officials to commissioners, have been sacked. Traditional rulers from the community will have their certificates of recognition withdrawn, while all town union leaderships are hereby dissolved,” Nwifuru declared.

The governor added that the measures were aimed at restoring lasting peace and deterring further violence in the affected communities.

A newborn baby has been rescued after being abandoned in front of a shop along Pope John Paul Seminary School Street in Umuodu Village, Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The baby was discovered alive in a bag at about 9 am on Sunday by a nurse, Mercy Iloanya, whose shop is located close to where the infant was left.

Narrating the incident, Iloanya said she was opening her shop when she heard a baby crying from a nearby bag.

“I immediately called the attention of a man passing along the street, who confirmed that the baby was alive. We then alerted the owner of the shop in front of which the child was dropped,” she said.

According to Iloanya, the bag was opened in the presence of the shop owner and other residents, revealing a handwritten note allegedly from the baby’s mother. In the note, the woman appealed to the shop owner to help take care of the child.

She added that good Samaritans who gathered at the scene quickly donated baby items, while many onlookers, particularly women, expressed shock and concern over the incident.

The abandoned baby was subsequently taken to the Anambra Police B Division, where the case was formally documented.

Following police procedures, the infant was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of the Mother and Child Department at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka.

The transfer was carried out on the directive of the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, to ensure the baby receives proper medical attention and care.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that six persons lost their lives while 23 others sustained injuries in a road traffic crash along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

The accident occurred around the Four Square Camp area on Monday.

According to the FRSC Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Odunsin Afolabi, the incident was reported at about 11:27 am, and rescue teams from the Ogunmakin Unit Command arrived at the scene within two minutes.

Afolabi disclosed that the crash involved a DAF CF 380 trailer with registration number SNA 287 XA, adding that it was a lone accident.

“A total of 29 persons were involved in the crash. Twenty-three passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, while six were confirmed dead,” he said.

The FRSC attributed the accident to fatigue and excessive speeding, which reportedly caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Afolabi also cautioned against the practice of conveying passengers alongside cattle or goods, noting that mixed loading often complicates rescue efforts and increases the risk of fatalities during crashes.

Victims of the accident were taken to Oreoluwa Hospital at GOFAMINT Camp, Ogunmakin, and Victory Hospital in Ogere for medical attention.

The Corps has advised motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to ensure regular maintenance and proper inspection of their vehicles.

Drivers were also urged to observe speed limits, remain alert while driving, and comply with all traffic and road safety regulations to prevent avoidable accidents on major highways.

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has temporarily restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and three other parties from embarking on any industrial action or protest within the Federal Capital Territory.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the interim order on Monday, following an ex parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The restraining order affects the NLC spokesperson Benson Upah, the TUC General Secretary Nuhu Toro, and the Chairman of the FCT NLC, Stephen Knabayi, among others.

The application, filed through senior advocate James Onoja (SAN), seeks to prevent disruptions to public order and government operations.

According to the FCT Administration, the planned protest, scheduled for February 3, violated a previous interlocutory order delivered by the court on January 27, 2026, which instructed striking workers to resume duties.

Despite being served with this order, the unions allegedly issued circulars directing members to continue the strike.

The court also directed security agencies to ensure law and order is maintained in the nation’s capital.

The matter has been adjourned to February 10 for the hearing of the motion on notice.

In an affidavit supporting the application, the claimants said that the industrial action, initiated on January 19, 2026, had led to the closure of FCTA offices, schools, and departments, effectively bringing government functions to a halt.

They warned that the proposed protest could disrupt public life, impede vehicular movement, and violate the rights of residents, including private sector workers, expatriates, and tourists.