The trial of former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, commenced on Friday before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho presented two witnesses, who detailed how funds were allegedly siphoned from the Ministry of Defence into multiple accounts linked to the defendant.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Nwabuoku on a nine-count amended charge of money laundering, totalling N868,465,000.
Witness Testimonies
Eucharia Ezeobi, a Zenith Bank employee, testified that she opened four company accounts—Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited—for defence ministry contractors.
She stated that large sums were withdrawn in cash from these accounts, allegedly for Nwabuoku’s benefit. The court admitted the account opening documents as Exhibit PWB.
Felix Nweke, deputy director of accounts and expenditures under Nwabuoku’s supervision, was the second witness. He testified that the defendant instructed him to open the accounts. Funds were transferred from the defence ministry’s security operation account to these accounts before being withdrawn in cash and handed to Nwabuoku.
Under cross-examination, defence counsel Isidore Udenko asked whether the withdrawals were solely authorised by Nwabuoku or involved a higher authority. Nweke maintained that he acted on the defendant’s direct instructions.
The trial has been adjourned to 26 February and 5 March 2025 for continuation.