Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine for money laundering.
Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had proven the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge convicted Nwabuoku in all nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment for each count, totalling 72 years. However, the judge ordered that the sentences shall run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling.”
He commended the EFCC for being detailed in its prosecution.
The judge observed that the evidence of the ninth prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over ₦200 million during the investigation was not controverted by the defence.
Nwabuoku was arraigned on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge and was admitted to a ₦500 million bail with two sureties in the like sum.
The former acting Accountant-General of the Federation was alleged to have perpetrated the fraud while serving as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
