The Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has scheduled April 30, 2026, to deliver its ruling on an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of a property linked to former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Tuesday after listening to submissions from counsel on both sides.
At the hearing, defence lawyer N.I. Quakers, SAN, informed the court that the defence had filed an application to set aside the interim forfeiture order granted on January 27, 2025, along with a preliminary objection contesting the court’s jurisdiction.
He urged the court to dismiss the EFCC’s forfeiture request, arguing that the property in question is already subject to proceedings before another court in connection with an ongoing criminal trial.
In response, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, told the court that the commission’s motion for final forfeiture, dated May 6, 2024, was properly filed and supported by credible evidence. He maintained that the property was reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of crime.
Iheanacho explained that Nwabuoku, while serving as Director of Finance at the Ministry of Defence, allegedly diverted funds earmarked for military operations against Boko Haram. According to him, about ₦900 million was siphoned through fictitious accounts.
The prosecution further alleged that approximately ₦355 million traced to the respondent was channelled through an account he nominated—belonging to M Davies Enterprises Ltd—and used to acquire the property now under forfeiture.
He added that the property was purchased from that account and is currently occupied by the defendant. During the investigation, Iheanacho said, Nwabuoku voluntarily surrendered the keys to the house and refunded part of the diverted funds, only to later challenge the forfeiture after proceedings had commenced.
The EFCC relied on an eight-paragraph affidavit sworn to by its operative, Chinyelu Vivian Okpara, along with exhibits marked EFCC 1 to EFCC 7, and a further affidavit filed on May 16, 2024.
After considering arguments from both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the case to April 30, 2026, for ruling on the pending applications and delivery of judgment.
Meanwhile, the EFCC is separately prosecuting Nwabuoku before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on an amended nine-count charge of money laundering involving ₦868,465,000.
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