“Give Us More Time to Refund Looted Funds,” Ex-Accountant General Pleads

Anamekwe Nwabuoku, the former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, has requested additional time to refund allegedly looted public funds. During a hearing on Wednesday, Nwabuoku made his plea before Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja. He and his co-defendant, Felix Nweke, are facing 11 counts of money laundering totaling N1.6 billion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the pair, who are accused of committing the offenses while Nwabuoku served as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence from 2019 to 2021.

Nwabuoku was appointed acting Accountant-General on May 20, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged N80 billion fraud. However, Nwabuoku was removed from his position just weeks later in July 2022.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the defendants requested the court to delay their arraignment to allow time for the refund process. Nweke’s lawyer, Emeka Onyeaka, informed the court of new developments, stating that his client had made substantial refunds of the money traced by the EFCC.

“The second defendant has taken steps towards resolving the matter, and there is communication with the commission regarding the refunds,” Onyeaka said.

Nwabuoku’s lawyer, Maduakolam Igwe, echoed Onyeaka’s statements, confirming that his client had also made significant refunds. Both defense counsels requested an adjournment to complete the administrative procedures with the EFCC.

However, EFCC counsel Ogechi Ujam countered, noting that no formal negotiations, settlements, or agreements had been made. She urged the court to proceed with the arraignment.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until October 14 for arraignment, allowing time for further developments in the refund process.