Anamekwe Nwabuoku, the former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), has entered a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning the alleged N1.6 billion fraud.
During a resumed hearing on Monday, EFCC’s Counsel Ogechi Ujam informed Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja about the developments in the case. Ujam stated that on the last adjourned date, Nwabuoku and his co-defendant, Felix Nweke, had submitted a proposal for settlement.
Proposal for Settlement
Ujam indicated that both parties had reached an agreement, which had been submitted to the EFCC’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for approval. She requested a date to file the plea bargain agreement and amended charge in court.
Nwabuoku’s lawyer, Isidal Udenko, along with Nweke’s representative, Emeka Onyeaka, confirmed their clients’ decision to pursue a plea bargain.
Court Proceedings
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2024, for the adoption of the plea bargain agreement. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EFCC has brought an 11-count money laundering charge against both defendants.
Nwabuoku, designated as the first defendant in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/24, is accused of engaging in money laundering activities during his tenure as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. Nweke is identified as the second defendant in the case.
As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome of the plea bargain agreement will be closely monitored by stakeholders and the public alike.