Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down a heavy 72-year prison sentence to Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, a former acting Accountant-General of the Federation.
The conviction follows a high-profile legal battle over a nine-count money laundering charge involving the diversion of ₦868 million.
The court found that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully proved that Nwabuoku siphoned the funds while serving as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
According to reports from the EFCC and court proceedings, the judge sentenced the defendant to eight years for each of the nine counts.
However, the sentences are set to run concurrently.
In a scathing judgment, Justice Omotosho described Nwabuoku’s actions as "appalling," particularly noting that the stolen funds were meant for national security and defense.
The court also highlighted that during the investigation, Nwabuoku had voluntarily returned over ₦200 million of the stolen money, a fact the defense could not dispute.
“The defendant is hereby convicted as charged. The acts of diverting funds meant for security and defence are appalling,” Justice Omotosho stated while commending the EFCC for a detailed prosecution.
Nwabuoku, who was first arraigned in January 2025, will serve his term without the option of a fine, marking a significant milestone in the government's anti-corruption drive.
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