A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to eight years imprisonment after convicting him on multiple counts of money laundering.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice James Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, meeting the legal threshold required for conviction.
The court found Nwabuoku guilty on all nine counts related to the laundering of approximately N868 million. Justice Omotosho sentenced him to eight years on each count, ruling that the terms would run concurrently. He declined to offer the option of a fine.
In a strongly worded judgment, the judge described the offences as “appalling,” noting that the funds diverted by the defendant were originally allocated for security and defence purposes during his tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
The court also acknowledged evidence presented by the prosecution indicating that Nwabuoku had voluntarily refunded over N200 million during the investigation—an assertion that was not challenged by the defence.
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Justice Omotosho commended the EFCC for its thorough and detailed prosecution, highlighting the strength of the evidence presented throughout the trial.
The conviction marks another high-profile case in Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption drive, particularly within key government institutions responsible for managing public funds.
Analysts say the ruling reinforces the judiciary’s stance on accountability and may serve as a deterrent to public officials entrusted with critical national resources.