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EFCC returns N104.1m to Niger State govt
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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, November 13, ordered former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to open his defence in an alleged N868 million fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering ruling on a no-case submission filed by the defendant, Justice James Omotosho dismissed the application, holding that Nwabuoku has a case to answer in the nine-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and diversion of public funds.
According to the prosecution, the offences contravene section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
Prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, argued that testimonies from witnesses had established unlawful financial transactions between the Ministry of Defence and several companies during Nwabuoku’s tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts.
However, defence counsel, Norrison I. Quakers, SAN, contended that the EFCC lacked the legal authority to prosecute the case and that the evidence presented was insufficient to warrant the defendant’s trial.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho stated that “it would be improper at this stage to assess the credibility of the prosecution witnesses or the weight of the evidence tendered by the EFCC.”
He maintained that the evidence before the court was sufficient to require Nwabuoku to enter his defence.
“The no-case submission of the defendant therefore fails,” the judge declared, adjourning the matter to 24 November 2025 for continuation of trial.
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Meanwhile, in a related development underscoring the EFCC’s recovery efforts, the Commission’s Ilorin Zonal Directorate on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, handed over N104,091,162.46 to the Niger State Government.
The recovered funds represent unremitted tax liabilities owed by Kiara Rice Mills Limited, based in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state, covering the period between 2021 and 2024.
According to the EFCC, investigations confirmed that the company failed to meet its full tax obligations despite operating profitably, a violation of federal tax laws and Niger State revenue regulations.
Following the probe by the Foreign Exchange Malpractice Section, the outstanding taxes were fully recovered.
During the handover ceremony, the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Ilorin Zonal Director, CE Ansalem Ozioko, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring public funds are recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
“The function of the EFCC is to prevent, investigate, and prosecute economic and financial crimes, recover what was stolen, and return it to the rightful owners. That is exactly what we are doing here today,” Olukoyede said.
He also called for continued collaboration with the Niger State Government, urging leaders to “be ambassadors of the EFCC by reporting any act that fails the integrity test.”
Receiving the cheque on behalf of the government, Alhaji Aminu Bawa, Group Head of Tax Operations at the Niger State Internal Revenue Service, commended the EFCC for its professionalism and pledged that the recovered sum would be utilised for developmental projects across the state.
“On behalf of the Niger State Government, I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the Commission for this commendable recovery effort. This development will have a direct and positive impact on the lives of our people,” he stated.
