Former Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku has refunded N220 million and voluntarily relinquished ownership of a duplex to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The move forms part of a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture procedure initiated by the EFCC over alleged fraudulent diversion of public funds.
Details of the case were disclosed in an ex parte motion filed by EFCC counsel, E. Iheanacho, SAN, before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The motion seeks interim forfeiture of funds in multiple bank accounts linked to the former AGF, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC is targeting accounts connected to several companies, including Temeeo Synergy Concept Ltd (N12.5 million), Turge Global Investment Ltd (N4.1 million), Laptev Bridge Ltd (N682,904), and Arafura Transnational Afro Ltd (N51.2 million). Also included is N220 million already refunded by Nwabuoku to the EFCC Recovery Account.
According to EFCC investigations, the case centers around the alleged diversion of funds meant for internal security operations under the Ministry of Defence.
EFCC operative Chinelo Okpara, in an affidavit, revealed that large sums of money were funneled through shell companies and later deposited into the M Davi Company Enterprises account.
These transactions were allegedly intended for the benefit of Nwabuoku, who served as the Director of Finance and Accounts at the ministry at the time.
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Between November 2019 and September 2020, about N355 million was deposited into the account by various individuals, including one Mr. Joseph Gideon.
Out of this sum, Nwabuoku reportedly spent N64 million to purchase a five-bedroom duplex at Number 20, City Gate Estate, Kukwaba, Abuja. He also allegedly invested another N160 million in securities and financial instruments.
In his statement to investigators, Nwabuoku admitted ownership of the funds and the property. The EFCC told the court that he refunded N220 million on February 9, 2022, and handed over the duplex keys to the Commission voluntarily.
Citing Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, Iheanacho argued that the funds and properties be temporarily forfeited to the federal government pending final forfeiture proceedings.
Although the case was scheduled for mention on Monday, court proceedings were postponed to October 22, 2025.
Meanwhile, Nwabuoku is also facing a separate nine-count criminal charge before Justice James Omotosho, also of the Federal High Court, over alleged money laundering totaling N868 million. He has pleaded not guilty, and the trial is ongoing.
Nwabuoku was appointed Acting AGF on May 22, 2022, by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over similar corruption allegations.
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