The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, within the N868.46 million money laundering case instituted towards him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Ele-Ojo Enenche, who delivered the lead judgment on Friday, November 13, 2026, dismissed his attraction towards the judgment of the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, in keeping with a press release issued by the EFCC on Friday.
Nairametrics beforehand reported that Omotosho had held that the EFCC proved its case past affordable doubt, describing Nwabuoku’s diversion of public funds meant for safety and defence as “appalling.”
What the Appeal Court is saying
According to the EFCC, Justice Ele-Ojo Enenche “held that the appeal lacked merit after resolving all four issues raised for determination against the appellant.”
The Appeal Court upheld the trial courtroom’s judgment, which convicted Nwabuoku on all 9 counts of money laundering.
The appellate courtroom agreed with the EFCC that Nwabuoku’s extra-judicial statements have been made voluntarily.
It additionally held that the decrease courtroom had completely and accurately evaluated the proof towards the appellant, including that the EFCC discharged the burden of proof required by legislation and established its case past affordable doubt.
Furthermore, the Court was mentioned to have “affirmed that the Commission possessed the requisite statutory powers to investigate and prosecute the offences.”
Consequently, the Appeal Court dismissed the attraction for missing advantage.
Backstory
The EFCC prosecuted Nwabuoku on a nine-count amended cost bordering on money laundering involving N868,465,000.
He had pleaded not responsible to all the costs, whereas the anti-graft company known as 9 witnesses in assist of its case.
During the trial, EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), argued that the alleged offences fell underneath Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
He maintained that proof earlier than the courtroom confirmed that funds have been paid to 4 firms described as “front companies” with none lawful transactions with the Ministry of Defence.
Counsel to the defendant, Norrison I. Quakers (SAN), countered that the EFCC lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute the matter in his no-case submission.
However, Justice Omotosho dismissed the no-case submission, ruling that the proof offered required explanations from the defendant, significantly relating to the allegations of conspiracy and money laundering, and ordered him to open his defence.
What it’s best to know
Nwabuoku had earlier refunded N220 million and surrendered a duplex linked to him to the EFCC following investigations into alleged advance charge fraud. The disclosure was made in an ex parte non-conviction movement marked FHC/ABJ/177/2024 and filed earlier than Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The movement sought an interim order freezing a number of financial institution accounts allegedly related to the previous AGF.
The EFCC said that the refund and forfeiture adopted ongoing investigations into monetary dealings linked to him.
The forfeiture proceedings have been separate however associated to the broader allegations earlier than Justice Omotosho.
In May 2026, trial decide Justice Mohammed Umar held that the depositions by each the EFCC authorized staff and Nwabuoku within the forfeiture case earlier than him confirmed the existence of a pending prison case earlier than Justice James Omotosho.
He suggested that the EFCC may return with the same utility after the conclusion of the prison trial, because the properties sought to be forfeited fashioned a part of the costs.
Nwabuoku was appointed Acting Accountant-General of the Federation by former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 22, 2022, pending the result of investigations into the suspended AGF, Ahmed Idris. He was subsequently arraigned by the EFCC.
