The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced former Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to 72 years in prison for money laundering involving N868.46 million. Justice James Omotosho handed down the sentence, finding Nwabuoku guilty on all nine counts of the charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC had prosecuted Nwabuoku for diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Account in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. Justice Omotosho described Nwabuoku’s actions as “appalling” and commended the EFCC for its thorough investigation and prosecution.
The judge noted that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and that Nwabuoku’s voluntary refund of over N200 million during the investigation was a mitigating factor. The court convicted Nwabuoku on all nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.
Nwabuoku was arraigned on January 15, 2025, and was admitted to a N500 million bail with two sureties. The EFCC listed him as the sole defendant in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024.
The conviction is a significant victory for the EFCC in its efforts to tackle corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria. The anti-graft agency has been working to recover stolen assets and bring perpetrators to justice.
Nwabuoku’s sentence serves as a warning to public officials who engage in corrupt practices and divert public funds for personal gain. The EFCC has vowed to continue its efforts to root out corruption and ensure that those responsible face the consequences of their actions.
The case is a testament to the commitment of the Nigerian judiciary to support anti-corruption efforts and uphold the rule of law.
