EFCC Witness Tells Court How Former Accountant-General Cornered N868m As Two Jailed for Spraying Naira
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In a stark display of Nigeria’s ongoing war against financial misconduct, two separate courtrooms—one in Abuja and the other in Lagos—delivered a strong message on Thursday: whether it is multimillion-naira corruption or the illegal spraying of currency at social events, no economic crime is too big or too small for justice.
Ex-Accountant General Accused of Diverting Defence Funds
At the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, explosive testimony was delivered against Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, a former Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), who is standing trial on a nine-count amended charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges border on alleged money laundering to the tune of N868,465,000—a staggering amount purportedly siphoned from the Federal Ministry of Defence while he served as the Director of Finance and Accounts.
Testifying as the ninth prosecution witness (PW9), Gudi Daniel Johnson, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), detailed how the accused allegedly used shell companies, proxies, and coordinated cash withdrawals to funnel public funds into personal and private accounts.
According to Johnson, the ICPC’s investigation began after receiving intelligence from the Ministry of Defence concerning suspicious transactions linked to companies such as Trans Afro Limited, Torch Global Limited, and Teemell Limited. “Our analysis of bank records and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents showed significant inflows from the Ministry into these companies’ accounts,” he stated.
The witness further testified that one Gideon Joseph, named as a director in these firms, was identified as a front for the operation. When investigators attempted to trace Joseph, they turned instead to the Ministry, where a senior accounts officer revealed that all instructions came directly from Nwabuoku.
Johnson testified that the funds, officially earmarked for confidential security operations, were often withdrawn in cash and subsequently diverted. He narrated how Joseph withdrew large sums and deposited them into the account of M. Daddy’s Ltd, allegedly on Nwabuoku’s instruction. One Jerry Nwachukwu later confirmed depositing N355 million into that account on the defendant’s behalf.
“Though the defendant initially admitted only to benefiting N100 million, our analysis showed that the web of transfers extended further. N150 million was traced to Quantum Zenith Ltd, while another N13 million was used to purchase property through El Salen Ltd, and N10 million was used to acquire a power generator,” Johnson stated.
The investigation also uncovered a property worth N65 million at City Gate Homes, which the defendant claimed was from earlier investments. However, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) reported no such asset declaration on record.
Key pieces of documentary evidence were tendered and admitted by the court, including correspondence from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), CAC reports, responses from Zenith Bank, Access Bank, and the CCB.
The trial, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has been adjourned to May 22 and 23 for further hearing.
Two Convicted for Spraying Naira at Social Event
While the high-stakes corruption case unfolded in Abuja, a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos handed down prison sentences to two individuals convicted of abusing the national currency during a social event.
Babatunde Peter Olaitan, popularly known as TDollar, and Tobilola Olamide, also known as TobiNation, were each sentenced to six months imprisonment by Justice Alexander Owoeye. Both were given the option of paying a N200,000 fine.
According to the EFCC, the duo was arraigned on separate one-count charges for spraying N200 notes during a party on April 8, 2025, at 23 Macdonald Road, Ikoyi. The charges were brought under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007, which criminalizes tampering with and defacing the Naira.
The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate launched an investigation after footage of the party went viral on TikTok. During the trial, EFCC investigative officer Ibrahim Bukar testified that Olaitan was seen in the video dancing and spraying money, an offense that triggered his arrest on May 5, 2025. The same video evidence was presented in court, alongside voluntary statements from the defendants.
Bukar recounted that Olaitan claimed a fan had handed him a bundle of N200 notes at the club, which he subsequently sprayed. The evidence was deemed credible and led to their conviction.
Justice Without Bias
These two cases, though vastly different in scale and social impact, illustrate the Nigerian judiciary’s resolve to tackle financial infractions at all levels. From a senior public officer accused of cornering nearly a billion naira in public funds to social media influencers caught glamorizing the illegal defacing of currency, the message from the bench was unequivocal: no one is above the law.
As anti-corruption agencies intensify their efforts, these courtroom outcomes reaffirm the critical need for integrity, accountability, and civic discipline in the stewardship and use of public resources and the national currency.
