From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, delivered a decisive judgement in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive, convicting and sentencing former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to a cumulative 72-year prison term over an N868.46 million fraud.
Presiding judge, James Omotosho, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved the nine-count charge of money laundering beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the conviction of the defendant on all counts.
Justice Omotosho sentenced Nwabuoku to eight years imprisonment on each of the nine counts, amounting to 72 years. The court, however, ruled that the sentences would run concurrently, in line with legal practice.
Describing the offence as “appalling”, the judge noted that the funds were diverted while Nwabuoku served as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He stressed that monies meant for national security and defence were misappropriated, underscoring the gravity of the crime.
The court further observed that evidence presented by the prosecution, particularly from its ninth witness, showed that the convict voluntarily refunded over N200 million during investigation—an assertion that was not challenged by the defence.
Justice Omotosho commended the EFCC for its detailed and diligent prosecution of the case, highlighting the importance of thorough investigation in securing convictions in complex financial crimes.
Nwabuoku was arraigned on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, where he stood as the sole defendant. He had initially been granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.
The conviction follows the court’s earlier dismissal of the defendant’s no-case submission, after which he was ordered to enter his defence.
