Abuja, Oct. 14, 2024 (TheGavel) – The former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has entered a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N1.6 billion fraud.
During the resumed hearing on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, EFCC’s counsel, Ogechi Ujam, informed Justice James Omotosho about the agreement. Ujam mentioned that a proposal for settlement had been submitted and was awaiting approval from EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
“We are asking for a date to file our plea bargain agreement and amended charge,” Ujam said.
Nwabuoku’s lawyer, Isidal Udenko, and the lawyer representing the co-defendant, Felix Nweke, also confirmed their intention to pursue a plea bargain.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to Dec. 2 for the adoption of the plea bargain agreement.
The EFCC had filed an 11-count charge of money laundering against Nwabuoku and Nweke. The alleged offences took place while Nwabuoku was the Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence from 2019 to 2021.
Nwabuoku was appointed acting AGF on May 20, 2022, following the suspension of his predecessor, Ahmed Idris, over an alleged N80 billion fraud. However, Nwabuoku was removed from office a few weeks later, after reports surfaced that he was under EFCC investigation.
In a prior court appearance on July 10, Nwabuoku and Nweke requested additional time to refund the public funds they were accused of misappropriating, delaying their arraignment. (NAN)
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