A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to a cumulative jail term of 72 years over a high-profile money laundering case involving ₦868.46 million.
The conviction follows his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a nine-count amended charge bordering on money laundering. The case was presided over by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama.
Nwabuoku was arraigned in January 2025 after the EFCC accused him of laundering public funds during his tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Federal Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
According to the anti-graft agency, the funds, totalling ₦868.46 million were allegedly diverted through multiple companies, including Temero Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited.
Prosecutors argued that the transactions violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, maintaining that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.
During the trial, the EFCC called several witnesses and tendered documentary evidence to establish its case. The court earlier ruled that a prima facie case had been made against the former accounting chief, compelling him to open his defence.
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Nwabuoku, in his defence, denied any involvement in the alleged fraud and disputed links to the companies cited by the prosecution. He also maintained that the funds traced to him were legitimate earnings and investments.
Despite his arguments, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him on the charges.
In its final ruling, the court convicted Nwabuoku and handed down a cumulative sentence of 72 years imprisonment for the offences. The sentence reflects multiple convictions across the counts filed against him.
Nwabuoku briefly served as Acting Accountant-General of the Federation in 2022 following the suspension of Ahmed Idris but was removed from office within weeks amid corruption allegations.
The judgment marks a significant development in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, reinforcing the EFCC’s ongoing crackdown on financial crimes within the public sector.
