Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has returned ₦220 million and a luxury duplex in Abuja to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This follows an investigation into an alleged fraud linked to his time in public office.
The EFCC made this known through an ex parte motion filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/177/2024, is part of a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture process.
According to the EFCC, Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded the funds and surrendered the property. The Commission believes the assets were obtained from unlawful activities.
In the motion, EFCC lawyer E. Iheanacho, SAN, asked the court to issue an interim forfeiture order. The order would transfer ownership of the funds and property to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Several company bank accounts linked to the case were listed. These include:
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Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited – ₦12.5 million
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Turge Global Investment Limited – ₦4.1 million
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Laptev Bridge Limited – ₦682,904
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Arafura Transnational Afro Ltd – ₦51.2 million
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EFCC Recovery Account – ₦220 million (refunded by Nwabuoku)
The EFCC also asked the court to publish the interim order in a national newspaper. This allows any interested parties 14 days to come forward and show cause. If no valid claim is made, the final forfeiture order may be granted.
According to EFCC investigator Chinelo Okpara, the funds in question were linked to the Ministry of Defence. They were originally allocated for internal security operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The investigation revealed that funds were funneled through four companies. The money was then transferred into an account belonging to M Davi Company Enterprises. This account was allegedly used for the personal benefit of Nwabuoku.
Between November 2019 and September 2020, ₦355 million was deposited into that account by various individuals, including one Joseph Gideon. Investigators say Nwabuoku admitted in a written statement that the money belonged to him.
Out of the total funds, ₦64 million was used to purchase a five-bedroom duplex at No. 20 City Gate Estate, Kukwaba, Abuja. Another ₦160 million was reportedly invested in securities and other financial instruments.
Nwabuoku later returned ₦220 million to the EFCC Recovery Account. He also handed over the property and its keys to the Commission.
The EFCC cited Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. This law allows the court to issue interim forfeiture orders without a criminal conviction if assets are linked to illegal activities.
Although the case was scheduled for mention on July 15, the court did not sit. A new date has been fixed for October 22, 2025.
Meanwhile, a separate case is ongoing. The EFCC is prosecuting Nwabuoku on a nine-count charge of money laundering involving ₦868 million. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Nwabuoku was appointed Acting Accountant-General of the Federation by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2022. His appointment came after the suspension of Ahmed Idris, who was also under investigation.
The investigation and recovery efforts continue.
