Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to remove all restrictions placed on funds and properties linked to former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Anamekwe Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, after holding that the commission’s final forfeiture proceedings amounted to an abuse of court process.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday, May 22, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite, in a case involving the interim forfeiture of about ₦220 million and several real estate assets previously frozen by the anti-graft agency during ongoing investigations.
Nwabuoku, a former top federal financial officer who briefly served as Acting Accountant-General of the Federation in 2022, had approached the court challenging EFCC’s continued restrictions on his assets, arguing that the measures were excessive, procedurally flawed, and not supported by sufficient legal basis.
The EFCC had secured interim forfeiture orders earlier in the investigation, alleging that the funds and properties were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful financial transactions linked to his tenure in public service.
However, in his ruling, Justice Nwite held that while anti-corruption agencies have statutory powers to investigate and apply for interim forfeiture of suspected proceeds of crime, such powers must be exercised within the limits of due process and cannot be used in a manner that prejudices fair hearing rights.
The court further stated that pursuing a final forfeiture application while simultaneously maintaining prolonged restrictions without conclusive adjudication could amount to an abuse of judicial process, especially where the substantive allegations had not been determined.
As part of the judgment, the court directed the EFCC to immediately lift all administrative restrictions on the affected bank accounts and properties, pending the determination of the substantive issues in the case, and ordered that the matter proceed in accordance with proper judicial procedure.
The decision effectively restores access to the disputed assets for the applicant, although the underlying investigation and related legal proceedings remain active before the court.
Nwabuoku, who served in an acting capacity as Accountant-General of the Federation in 2022 following administrative changes in the treasury leadership, has in recent years faced scrutiny in connection with alleged financial irregularities during his tenure in public financial management.
The EFCC has been conducting multiple investigations involving senior public finance officials over allegations of mismanagement, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds, as part of broader anti-corruption enforcement actions targeting federal financial institutions.
The anti-graft agency has not yet issued a detailed public response to the ruling as of Friday, May 23, 2026, but it is expected to review the judgment to determine whether to appeal or adjust its legal strategy in the case.
Legal analysts note that interim forfeiture orders are commonly used by Nigerian courts to preserve suspected proceeds of crime during investigations, but such orders must be supported by continuous judicial oversight to prevent undue restriction of property rights before final determination.
The case adds to ongoing legal debates in Nigeria over the balance between anti-corruption enforcement powers and constitutional protections of property and fair hearing rights, particularly in high-profile financial crime investigations.
Court proceedings in the matter are expected to continue as the substantive issues regarding the alleged financial misconduct are yet to be resolved by the court.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments