Olayiwola Matthew
Anamekwe Nwabuoku, former acting accountant-general of the federation, has again requested additional time to negotiate a plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Nwabuoku is facing a nine-count amended charge of money laundering amounting to N868.5 million.
He was first arraigned alongside Felix Nweke, a former deputy director in the ministry of defence, before a federal high court in Abuja in July 2023.
The defendants allegedly committed the act while Nwabuoku served as the director of finance and accounts in the ministry of defence between 2019 and 2021.
The arraignment was initially put on hold after both defendants opted for a plea bargain and sought time to refund the allegedly misappropriated funds.
While the plea deal ultimately collapsed, Nweke later became a prosecution witness, and the trial proceeded.
At Wednesday’s hearing, prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho informed the court that five witnesses were ready to testify.
However, Nwabuoku, represented by Isidore Udenko, told the court he had engaged a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to help negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the EFCC.
Iheanacho said the prosecution was not opposed to the request by the defendant.
“Even though our five witnesses are in court and we are ready to go on with the trial, however, if the request of the defendant will meet the justice of the case, we will not be opposing,” the prosecution counsel said.
James Omotosho, the presiding judge, adjourned the case until March 13 for either a report on the settlement or the continuation of trial.
