The Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has scheduled the 30th of April, 2026, to deliver its ruling on a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the final forfeiture of a property allegedly connected to former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Tuesday, the 3rd of February, 2026, after listening to submissions from lawyers representing both sides.
During the hearing, counsel to the defendant, N.I. Quakers, SAN, notified the court of a motion seeking to vacate the interim forfeiture order issued on the 27th of January, 2025. He also raised a preliminary objection, disputing the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the EFCC’s application.
Quakers urged the court to dismiss the forfeiture request, contending that the property in question is already part of issues being considered by another court in an ongoing criminal matter involving the defendant.
In response, EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, argued that the commission’s motion for final forfeiture, dated on the 6th of May, 2024, was validly filed and supported by credible evidence. He maintained that the property was reasonably believed to have been acquired using proceeds of unlawful activities.
“My Lord, the respondent was at the material time the Director of Finance in the Ministry of Defence,” Iheanacho said. “Funds released strictly for military operations against Boko Haram were partly diverted through fictitious accounts to the tune of about N900 million.”
The prosecution further alleged that about N355 million linked to the defendant was funneled through a nominated account belonging to M Davies Enterprises Ltd, which was subsequently used to acquire the disputed property.
“It was from that account that the property in question was purchased, and it is the same property the defendant is currently living in,” Iheanacho added. “During investigation, the defendant voluntarily handed over the keys to the house and refunded part of the funds.
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“Surprisingly, after these proceedings commenced, he turned around to challenge the forfeiture. We urge the court to grant the application.”
The EFCC also relied on an eight-paragraph affidavit sworn to by its operative, Chinyelu Vivian Okpara, alongside documentary exhibits labeled EFCC 1 to EFCC 7, as well as an additional affidavit filed on the 16th of May, 2024.
After taking arguments from both parties, Justice Umar adjourned the case to the 30th of April, 2026, for ruling on the pending applications and final judgment.
Meanwhile, Nwabuoku is facing a separate trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the EFCC is prosecuting him on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving N868,465,000.