In a dramatic turn of events at the Federal High Court, Abuja, former Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has admitted to authorising the transfer of funds from the Ministry of Defence to four private companies—a direct contradiction of his earlier denial of any links to the firms.
The admission came during cross-examination on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, before Justice James Omotosho. Nwabuoku, who is facing a nine-count amended charge of money laundering to the tune of ₦868,465,000, told the court that the payments were made for what he described as "classified purposes"—security-related operations that could not be openly disclosed .
From Denial to Admission: The Shift in Testimony
When the trial began, Nwabuoku had firmly denied any dealings with the four companies now at the centre of the case: Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited. He claimed he only became aware of their existence when their names were mentioned in open court .
But under sustained cross-examination by prosecuting counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, the former finance director was confronted with his own statement to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), dated February 2, 2025. In that written statement, Nwabuoku had explicitly confirmed that funds were transferred to the four companies under his authority while he served as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence .
The prosecution seized on this inconsistency, arguing that the defendant's shifting positions undermine his credibility.
The Companies and the Cash Trail
According to testimony from earlier prosecution witnesses, these four companies were not ordinary contractors. Eucharia Ezeobi, a Zenith Bank staff member who testified as PW1, disclosed that she personally opened accounts for the firms and confirmed that much of the funds moved through them were withdrawn in cash—funds from which, she said, the defendant "significantly benefited" .
Felix Nweke, Deputy Director of Accounts and Expenditure under Nwabuoku at the Ministry, testified as PW2 that he acted strictly on the defendant's instructions. He told the court that Nwabuoku directed him to open the accounts and subsequently move money from the Ministry of Defence Security Operation Account into these private company accounts. Funds were routinely withdrawn in cash and handed over to the defendant .
The N64 Million Property Question
In a separate but related revelation, Nwabuoku told the court that he purchased his current residence using "legitimate earnings." However, under cross-examination, he was forced to acknowledge that a cheque for ₦64 million issued by Mdavi Limited was paid to City Gate Homes as part of the acquisition .
This admission has raised fresh questions about the source of funds and the nature of his relationship with Mdavi Limited, a company not previously mentioned in the four-firm web. The prosecution has indicated it will pursue this line of inquiry further.
The Forfeiture Battle: A Parallel Proceeding
While the criminal trial continues before Justice Omotosho, a separate but closely related case is playing out before Justice Mohammed Umar of the same Federal High Court. There, the EFCC is seeking the final forfeiture of a five-bedroom duplex in CityGate Estate, Abuja, which the Commission alleges was purchased with diverted defence funds .
Prosecution counsel Iheanacho told the court that during the relevant period, Nwabuoku was Director of Finance at the Ministry of Defence. Funds released for military operations against Boko Haram, he said, were partially diverted through fictitious accounts, with approximately N355 million traced to the defendant via an account he nominated—M Davies Enterprises Ltd, belonging to an associate.
According to the EFCC, it was from this very account that the CityGate property was purchased. The defendant is currently living in that house.
Crucially, the EFCC claims that during its investigation, Nwabuoku voluntarily handed over the keys to the property and refunded part of the funds. However, once court proceedings commenced, he "turned around to challenge the forfeiture" .
Defence counsel N.I. Quakers, SAN, has filed a preliminary objection challenging the court's jurisdiction and arguing that the property is already subject to the ongoing criminal trial. Justice Umar has fixed April 30, 2026 for ruling on the final forfeiture application .
A Brief, Turbulent Tenure
Nwabuoku's time at the pinnacle of Nigeria's public finance system was remarkably short. He was appointed Acting Accountant General of the Federation in May 2022 following the suspension of the substantive AGF, Ahmed Idris, over separate financial misconduct allegations. Nwabuoku himself was removed barely two months later, also over allegations of financial impropriety .
His rapid rise and fall have come to symbolise the recurring instability at the helm of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation—a position critical to the country's fiscal integrity.
What Next?
Justice Omotosho has adjourned the criminal trial to February 27, 2026, for the adoption of written addresses from both the prosecution and defence . At that stage, both sides will formally present their final arguments before the judge delivers judgment.
The EFCC, for its part, maintains that Nwabuoku has a case to answer. In November 2025, Justice Omotosho dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defendant, ruling that the evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to warrant a defence .
Why This Matters
This case is not merely about one official and one property. It goes to the heart of how Nigeria secures—or fails to secure—funds meant for its most sensitive national security operations.
The "classified purposes" defence has historically functioned as a black box, shielding transactions from scrutiny in the name of national security. But with detailed financial trails, cooperating witnesses, and documentary evidence now before the court, that box is being pried open.
At its core, the prosecution alleges that funds meant to equip soldiers fighting Boko Haram were instead diverted to purchase choice real estate in Abuja. If proven, this would represent not just a financial crime, but a betrayal of the men and women in uniform.
The coming weeks will determine whether the courts accept Nwabuoku's claim of legitimate, classified operations—or whether the weight of documentary and testimonial evidence leads to conviction.
For now, the former Acting Accountant General remains on bail. His fate, and the fate of the N868 million, rests with Justice Omotosho.
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