A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to a total of 72 years imprisonment for his involvement in an N868 million fraud case.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice James Omotosho found the former government official guilty on all nine counts of money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge sentenced Nwabuoku to eight years imprisonment on each of the nine counts, amounting to 72 years in total. However, the court ruled that the sentences will run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho described the offence as “appalling,” noting that the funds diverted by the defendant were meant for national security and defence during his tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence.
The court also acknowledged evidence presented by the ninth prosecution witness, which revealed that the defendant voluntarily refunded over N200 million during the investigation — a claim that was not challenged by the defence.
Nwabuoku was initially arraigned on January 15, 2025, on an amended nine-count charge in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, where he stood as the sole defendant.
He had earlier been granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum pending the outcome of the trial.
The offences were said to have been committed between 2019 and 2021 while he served in the Ministry of Defence.
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