How Ex-Accountant-General Nwabuoku Diverted Funds Using Four Companies – Witnesses

Witnesses reveal how former Accountant-General Nwabuoku allegedly used four companies to divert public funds, deepening Nigeria’s corruption scandal.

The trial of Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, the former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, began on Friday.

In a session before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja, prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho brought forward two witnesses.

Witnesses testified in court about how funds were allegedly siphoned from the Ministry of Defence into several accounts established by the defendant.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is charging Nwabuoku with nine amended counts of money laundering, totaling N868,465,000.

The defendant previously served as the director of finance and accounts at the Federal Ministry of Defence.

Alleged N868.4 Million Fraud: Witnesses Describe Former Acting Accountant General’s Diversion of Ministry of Defence Funds

The trial of Mr. Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, the former Acting Accountant General of the Federation, commenced on Friday, January 31, 2025, before Justice James Omotosho.

One of the witnesses, Eucharia Ezeobi, an employee at Zenith Bank, testified in court that she opened four company accounts for contractors associated with the defense ministry. These companies were Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited.

She stated that large amounts of cash were withdrawn from these accounts, allegedly to the defendant’s benefit. The court accepted the account opening documents, labeling them as Exhibit PWB.

The second witness, Felix Nweke, who serves as the deputy director of accounts and expenditures under Nwabuoku’s supervision, testified in court that he was directed by the defendant to open four specific accounts. He stated that money was moved from the defense ministry’s security operation account into these company accounts and subsequently withdrawn in cash before being delivered to Nwabuoku.

During cross-examination, defence counsel Isidore Udenko inquired whether Nwabuoku alone had authorized the withdrawals or if someone higher up was involved. Nweke asserted that he followed instructions strictly from the defendant, his superior within the ministry.

The judge postponed the trial to continue on February 26 and March 5, 2025.