A former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, has been convicted and sentenced to 72 years imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja over an ₦868 million fraud case.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully proved the nine-count money laundering charges against Nwabuoku beyond reasonable doubt. The court consequently found him guilty on all counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment on each count, amounting to 72 years in total.
However, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning the jail terms will be served at the same time rather than consecutively.
Justice Omotosho described Nwabuoku’s actions as “appalling,” noting that the diverted funds were originally meant for security and defence operations during his tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence. He also commended the EFCC for its thorough and detailed prosecution of the case.
The judge further noted that evidence presented by the ninth prosecution witness showed that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded over ₦200 million during the course of the investigation — a fact the defence did not challenge.
Nwabuoku was re-arraigned on January 15, 2025, on an amended nine-count charge and had earlier been granted ₦500 million bail, with two sureties in the same amount.
According to the prosecution, the offences were committed between 2019 and 2021 while he served in the Ministry of Defence, where he allegedly diverted public funds through multiple fraudulent transactions.
The judgment marks another significant anti-corruption victory for the EFCC and reinforces ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability in the management of public funds in Nigeria.
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