The former Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Anamekwe Nwabuoku, on Wednesday, begged the Federal High Court, Abuja to give him more time to conclude the refund of stolen funds.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Nwabuoku alongside a former deputy director in the Ministry of Defence, Felix Nweke on an 11-count charge of money laundering.
The commission alleged that the duo siphoned N1.6 billion belonging to the Federal Government.
The EFCC told the court that the defendants perpetrated the act while Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
Nwabuoku was appointed acting AGF on May 20, 2022, by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari after Ahmed Idris was suspended over alleged N80 billion fraud.
He was however removed in July 2022.
When the matter was called on Wednesday for the defendants to take their plea, Nwabuoku and Nweke stepped into the dock.
However, Nweke’s lawyer, Emeka Onyeaka, informed the court that there was a new development in the case.
Onyeaka told the court that his client had taken steps toward settling the matter.
The lawyer said Nweke had made substantial refunds of the money traced to him by the anti-graft agency.
He said: “The 2nd defendant has taken steps, as there is a communication to the commission via-a-vs the alleged offences on making a refund.”
“The commission received the money and promised to communicate with us.”
“Upon being served with the charge on Monday, we communicated with the commission and we are asked to tarry for their administrative procedure.”
He said since a substantial amount had been refunded, the arraignment of his client would affect the trial.
He, therefore, prayed the court to grant them an adjournment to take further step on the administrative procedure.
Maduakolam Igwe, who appeared for Nwabuoku, aligned with Onyeaka’s submission.
Igwe said his client had equally taken the same steps and that a substantial amount had been refunded.
“We have written to the commission on this. The 1st defendant has also made some refunds.”
“May I adopt the submission of my learner friend to tidy up the administrative procedure,” the lawyer stated.
The counsel who appeared for the EFCC, Ogechi Ujam, acknowledged that the commission has received a proposal on the settlement.
She said: “However, no negotiation has been made, no settlement has been done and no agreement has been reached by parties.”
“In this circumstance, we urge this honourable court to allow us to arraign the defendants.”
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter till October 14 for arraignment.
