Alleged N868m fraud: Absence of Anamekwe`s lead Counsel Stalls Trial

Anamekwe

By JUMOKE SANNI

The trial of former Acting Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, December 4, 2025 could not continue due to the absence of lead defence counsel, Norrison I. Quakers, SAN.

Nwabuoku is being prosecuted by the EFCC on amended nine-count charges bordering on money laundering and diversion to the tune of N868,465,000 (Eight Hundred and Sixty-eight Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-five Thousand Naira).

During Wednesday proceedings, M. Igwe told the court that he was holding a brief for Quakers who is the lead counsel for the defendant and he instructed him to write a letter to inform the court that the date given by the court for the day’s sitting was not convenient.

Responding, prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho SAN, opposed the application for adjournment stating that “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 and there is no reason why he can’t handle this matter”.

However, Justice Omotosho in his ruling stated that in the interest of justice, he will grant the request.

The matter was adjourned to February 2, 2026.