Sahara Reporters has taken to it’s official X handle and announced that The trial of former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has taken a dramatic turn as damning testimonies expose how he allegedly orchestrated the diversion of N868.4 million from the Federal Ministry of Defence using a network of shell companies.
The trial, which commenced on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, saw two key prosecution witnesses unravel the intricate scheme allegedly deployed by Nwabuoku to siphon public funds. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), prosecuting the case, presented a nine-count amended charge of money laundering against the embattled former official.
Zenith Bank official, Eucharia Ezeobi, one of the witnesses, provided an explosive revelation, stating that she facilitated the opening of four company accounts—Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited. These companies, she said, were linked to contractors working under the Ministry of Defence.
However, rather than being used for legitimate transactions, the accounts allegedly became conduits for laundering funds. Ezeobi revealed that huge cash withdrawals were made from these accounts, with the funds allegedly funneled back to Nwabuoku. The court admitted account-opening documents as Exhibit PWB, further strengthening the prosecution’s case.
Insider Testimony: Funds Moved Under Nwabuoku’s Direct Orders
The second witness, Felix Nweke, a deputy director of accounts and expenditures who worked under Nwabuoku, provided even more damning testimony. He disclosed that Nwabuoku personally instructed him to open the four accounts, which were then used to channel funds from the Ministry of Defence’s security operations account.
According to Nweke, after the money was transferred, large sums were withdrawn in cash and handed over to Nwabuoku, a practice that raised major red flags regarding financial accountability within the ministry.
During cross-examination, Nwabuoku’s counsel, Isidore Udenko, attempted to deflect the weight of the allegations by questioning whether the withdrawals were solely authorized by Nwabuoku or if higher-ranking officials were involved. However, Nweke firmly stated that he acted directly on Nwabuoku’s instructions, reinforcing the prosecution’s claim that the former Accountant-General masterminded the scheme.
With the court setting February 26 and March 5, 2025, for the continuation of the trial, all eyes are on how the case unfolds. The scandal has reignited conversations about corruption in Nigeria’s public finance system, with calls for stricter accountability measures in government institutions.
As the proceedings progress, Nigerians are eager to see whether justice will be served in what could be one of the most high-profile financial crimes cases in recent years.
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