Alleged N1.9bn fraud: Zenith Bank’s staff, civil service director testify against ex-AGF

A staff member of Zenith Bank Plc, Eucharia Ezeodi, and a federal civil service director, Felix Nweke, testified on Friday against former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Anamekwe Nnabuoku, in an alleged ₦1.96 billion fraud case.

The witnesses presented their testimonies before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ekele Iheanacho, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nnabuoku was granted bail of ₦500 million with two sureties in like sum following his arraignment on January 15 on a nine-count amended charge. The EFCC, in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, listed Nnabuoku as the sole defendant.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Nnabuoku, along with several companies and individuals still at large, conspired to divert funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The alleged offense violates Section 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (amended by Act No. 1 of 2012) and is punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

Bank Official’s Testimony
Ezeodi, the first prosecution witness (PW-1), confirmed knowing Nnabuoku when he served as a director in the Federal Ministry of Defence.

“I am a banker with Zenith Bank. My office is at Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District in Abuja. I have worked for 15 years. I am a marketer in the bank. My duty is to generate business, bring new customers to the bank, etc.,” she said.

She explained that in 2019, she met Nnabuoku through Felix Nweke while he was the Director of Finance and Accounts at the Defence Ministry. In 2022, the EFCC invited her regarding corporate accounts opened for four companies allegedly used to siphon ministry funds.

The companies in question include Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited.

She stated that the accounts, opened in 2019, were operated with Gideon Joseph as the signatory.

During cross-examination by defense counsel Isidore Udenko, Ezeodi confirmed that she had no personal relationship with Nnabuoku apart from banking transactions. She also noted that a company director does not necessarily need to be a signatory to its accounts.

Civil Service Director’s Testimony
Nweke, the second prosecution witness (PW-2), revealed that he worked under Nnabuoku as a deputy director in the Defence Ministry between 2018 and 2020.

“I am a civil servant and presently a director with the federal civil service. I am in the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation awaiting posting,” he said.

He detailed how, upon resuming in 2018, Nnabuoku discussed the need to secure additional funds to facilitate ministry activities, including engagements with stakeholders such as the National Assembly and the Ministry of Finance.

According to Nweke, Nnabuoku proposed using external companies to channel funds, leading him to introduce Gideon Joseph, who was already engaged in supply contracts at the ministry.

“I took Gideon to Eucharia, who had been coming to the ministry for business. I assisted him in opening an account with Zenith Bank,” Nweke testified.

He further stated that financial transactions were carried out using the four corporate accounts, with withdrawals allegedly made for ministry-related expenses. He claimed that the funds originated from the Internal Security Operations Account of the military, with payments facilitated through ministry accounts.

During cross-examination, Nweke named several Defence Ministry staff members whose accounts were allegedly used to transfer funds before redirecting them to the four companies where Nnabuoku was a suspected beneficiary.

Following the cross-examination, Justice Omotosho adjourned the trial until February 26 and March 5 for further proceedings.