The trial of a former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, on Thursday, December 4, 2025, was stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja following the absence of his lead defence counsel, Norrison Quakers (SAN).
Nwabuoku is facing an amended nine-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging money laundering and diversion of public funds amounting to N868,465,000.
The EFCC alleged that the offences were committed while he served as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Federal Ministry of Defence, before he was appointed the acting Accountant-General of the Federation in 2022.
At Thursday’s proceedings, a lawyer, M. Igwe, informed Justice James Omotosho that he was holding brief for Quakers.
Igwe told the court that the lead counsel had instructed him to write a letter indicating that the date fixed for the hearing was “not convenient” for him.
The prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), opposed the application for an adjournment, arguing that no valid reason had been provided for Quaker’s absence.
“My lord, there was no reason given by the defence counsel in the application for his absence in court, and this counsel in court had always been appearing in this case. There is no reason why he can’t handle this matter,” Iheanacho said.
However, in his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the court would allow the request in the interest of justice, and consequently adjourned the case to February 2, 2026.
In November, SaharaReporters reported that Justice Omotosho dismissed Nwabuoku’s no-case submission, insisting that he had a case to answer and must enter his defence to the charges brought against him.