A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to 72 years in prison for his role in a N868.4 million fraud.
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, delivered the verdict on Monday, finding Nwabuoku guilty on all nine counts of money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In his ruling, the judge held that the prosecution had convincingly established that the former top government official diverted public funds through a network of private companies.
The EFCC had alleged that Nwabuoku worked with firms such as Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited to conceal and convert illicit funds. The offences were said to contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.
Court documents showed that the funds were diverted while Nwabuoku served as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
The former Acting AGF had earlier attempted to stop the trial by filing a no-case submission, but the court dismissed the application in November 2025, ordering him to open his defence.
Nwabuoku was initially granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties, but remained on trial until his conviction.
He was appointed Acting Accountant-General in May 2022 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged N80 billion fraud. However, his tenure was short-lived as he was removed from office in July 2022 after coming under investigation by the EFCC.
The ruling underscores ongoing efforts by anti-corruption authorities to hold public officials accountable for financial crimes.
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