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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has fixed April 30, 2026, for ruling on an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of a property linked to a former Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku.
In the course of proceedings on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, defence counsel N.I. Quakers, SAN, informed the court that the defendant had filed two applications: one seeking to set aside the interim forfeiture order granted on January 27, 2025, and another, a notice of preliminary objection dated August 15, 2025 challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
Quakers urged the court to dismiss the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture, arguing that the disputed property is already the subject of a criminal charge pending before another court. He contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the forfeiture suit and prayed that the application be struck out.
Responding, prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, drew the court’s attention to a motion dated and filed May 6, 2024, seeking a final forfeiture order. He told the court that the property was reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of crime.
According to him, the application is supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Chinyelu Vivian Okpara, an EFCC operative, with documentary exhibits marked EFCC 1 to EFCC 7. He urged the court to rely on the affidavit evidence and grant the forfeiture request.
Explaining the EFCC’s case, Iheanacho said: “My lord, the respondent at the material time of these transactions was the Director of Finance in the Ministry of Defence. Funds were released strictly for military operations in fighting Boko Haram.”
He alleged that part of the funds meant for military operations were diverted through fictitious accounts.
“Part of the funds were diverted using fictitious accounts up to the tune of N900 million,” he said.
The prosecution further told the court that about N355 million from the diverted funds allegedly went to Nwabuoku through an account he nominated, belonging to M. Davies Enterprises Ltd, which was said to be owned by his associate.
“It was from that account that the property in question was purchased, and it is that property the defendant is currently living in,” Iheanacho stated.
He added that during the investigation, the defendant voluntarily handed over the keys to the property and refunded part of the funds.
“Surprisingly, when these proceedings commenced, he turned around to challenge the forfeiture of the property. We urge the court to grant the application,” he said.
Iheanacho also informed the court of a further affidavit filed on May 16, 2024, again urging the court to rule in favour of the EFCC.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the matter to April 30, 2026, for ruling on all pending applications and judgment.
Meanwhile, the EFCC is also prosecuting Nwabuoku before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on an amended nine-count charge of alleged money laundering involving ₦868,465,000.