Ex-Accountant Normal, Anamekwe Nwabuoku has begged for time to refund looted funds.
PoliticalNews Nigeria experiences {that a} former appearing Accountant-Normal of the Federation, Anamekwe Nwabuoku, on Wednesday, pleaded with Justice James Omotoso of the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja to present him extra time to conclude the refund of the general public funds allegedly looted by him and his co-defendant.
This Nigeria information platform understands that Nwabuoku and his co-defendant, Felix Nweke, are going through 11 counts of cash laundering to the tune of N1.6bn.
They’re being prosecuted by the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee.
The defendants had been accused of committing to the act whereas Nwabuoku served because the Director of Finance and Accounts within the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
Whereas Nwabuoku is the primary defendant, Nweke is the second defendant within the cost marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/24 dated Might 20 and filed on Might 27 by EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho.
Nwabuoku was appointed appearing AGoF on Might 20, 2022, below ex-President Muhammadu Buhari after Ahmed Idris was suspended as AGF over alleged N80bn fraud.
He was, nonetheless, eliminated in July 2022, just a few weeks after assuming workplace.
When the matter was known as on Wednesday, the defendants prayed the courtroom to halt their arraignment till one other date to excellent the refund.
Nweke’s lawyer, Emeka Onyeaka, knowledgeable the courtroom that there was a brand new improvement within the case.
He advised the courtroom that his shopper had taken steps in the direction of settling the matter.
The lawyer mentioned Nweke had made substantial refunds of the cash traced to him by the anti-graft company.
“The second defendant has taken steps, as there’s a communication to the fee via-a-vs the alleged offences on making a refund.
“The fee is in receipt of the cash and promised to speak to us,” he mentioned.
The defence counsel mentioned upon being served with the cost, “We communicated with the fee and we had been requested to tarry for his or her administrative process.”
He mentioned since a considerable quantity had been refunded, if his shopper was arraigned, such motion would have an effect on the trial.
He, subsequently, prayed the courtroom to grant them an adjournment to take additional steps on the executive process.
Maduakolam Igwe, who appeared for Nwabuoku, aligned with Onyeaka’s submission.
Igwe mentioned his shopper had equally taken the identical steps and {that a} substantial quantity had been refunded.
“We’ve got written to the fee on this. The primary defendant has additionally made some refunds.
“Might I undertake the submission of my learner good friend to tidy up the executive process,” he corroborated.
Responding, counsel who appeared for the EFCC, Ogechi Ujam, acknowledged that although the fee was in receipt of a proposal letter, she mentioned, “No negotiation has been made, no settlement has been finished and no Contract has been reached by events.
“Within the circumstances, we urge this honourable courtroom to permit us to arraign the defendants.”
After listening to the events out, Justice Omotosho adjourned until October 14 for arraignment.