A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to a total of 72 years in prison over a ₦868 million fraud case.
The judgment was delivered by James Omotosho, who ruled that the prosecution had successfully established the charges against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
Delivering Judgment, James Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had been able to prove the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the court, Nwabuoku was found guilty on all nine counts and sentenced to eight years imprisonment on each count, bringing the total to 72 years. However, the judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho described the offence as serious, condemning the diversion of funds meant for national security and defence during Nwabuoku’s tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence.
He also commended the EFCC for its thorough handling of the case, noting the strength and consistency of the evidence presented during the trial.
The court further observed that testimony from the ninth prosecution witness confirmed that Nwabuoku had voluntarily refunded over ₦200 million during the investigation, a claim that was not challenged by the defence.
Nwabuoku was initially arraigned on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge and was granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million with two sureties.
The offences were said to have been committed between 2019 and 2021 while he served in the Ministry of Defence.
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