A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to a cumulative 72 years imprisonment for his role in a ₦868.46 million money laundering scheme.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho found that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Nwabuoku on all nine counts brought against him. The court sentenced him to eight years imprisonment on each count, amounting to 72 years, although the terms are to run concurrently.
The judge affirmed the prosecution’s argument that the former top government official engaged in large-scale financial misconduct.
The court described Nwabuoku’s actions—particularly the diversion of funds meant for national security and defence during his tenure at the Ministry of Defence—as “appalling,” underscoring the gravity of the offence.
According to the EFCC, Nwabuoku was prosecuted for laundering public funds through multiple companies between 2019 and 2021 while serving as Director of Finance and Accounts at the ministry. The anti-graft agency stated that it successfully established the financial trail and secured testimony from several witnesses during the trial.
The court also noted evidence that the defendant had refunded over ₦200 million during the investigation, a claim that was not challenged by the defence.
Nwabuoku, who briefly served as acting Accountant-General in 2022, was initially arraigned on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge of money laundering and had been granted bail of ₦500 million pending the conclusion of the trial.
