A Federal High Court in Abuja has handed former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, a 72-year fraud sentence after the EFCC proved nine counts of money laundering involving N868 million.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday convicted and sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to 72 years imprisonment over N868 million fraud.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had proved the nine-count money laundering charge against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the judge, the defendant was convicted on all counts and sentenced to eight years imprisonment on each of the nine counts, amounting to 72 years.
The court, however, ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho described Nwabuoku’s diversion of funds meant for security and defence while serving as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling,” and commended the EFCC for detailed prosecution.
The judge also observed that the testimony of the ninth prosecution witness that the defendant voluntarily refunded over N200 million during investigation was not challenged by the defence.
Nwabuoku had earlier been granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum after his arraignment on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge.
The EFCC listed him as the sole defendant in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Nwabuoku committed the offences while serving as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
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