By Uzair Adam
The former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has reached a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning an alleged fraud involving N1.6 billion.
During the resumed hearing on Monday, EFCC Counsel Ogechi Ujam informed Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja that Nwabuoku and his co-defendant, Felix Nweke, had proposed a settlement since the last adjourned date.
Ujam stated that the agreement had been submitted to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede for approval.
“We are seeking a date to file our plea bargain agreement and amended charge,” Ujam said.
Nwabuoku’s lawyer, Isidal Udenko, and Emeka Onyeaka, who represented Nweke, also confirmed their decision to opt for a plea bargain. Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until December 2 for the adoption of the plea bargain agreement.
The anti-graft agency has brought forward an 11-count money laundering charge against both defendants, who are accused of laundering funds while Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence from 2019 to 2021.
Nwabuoku, the first defendant in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/240/24, was appointed acting AGF on May 20, 2022, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over allegations of N80 billion fraud.
However, Nwabuoku was removed just weeks later, in July 2022.
Sylva Okolieaboh was appointed as acting AGF to replace Nwabuoku amid reports of ongoing corruption investigations by the EFCC.
According to reports from July 10, Nwabuoku and his co-defendants requested additional time from the court to finalize the refund of the public funds allegedly misappropriated, asking for the arraignment to be postponed to allow for the completion of this process.