Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says a former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) Chukwunyere Nwabuoku has been convicted and sentenced to 72 years imprisonment over fraud involving N868.46 million.
The commission disclosed this on its X handle on Monday, noting that ex-acting AGF Nwabuoku was prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of money laundering.
According to the EFCC, Nwabuoku was arraigned on January 15, 2025, on nine amended counts of money laundering.
He was appointed acting accountant-general of the federation in May 2022 after the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged N800 million fraud and was later removed weeks after.
In its case, the EFCC said Nwabuoku conspired with several companies, including Temero Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited, to convert funds linked to unlawful activities.
The commission also said part of the charges covered alleged laundering of about N86 million while he served as director of finance and accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
The prosecution called nine witnesses during the trial, including a Zenith Bank staff member Eucharia Ezeodi and a director in the federal civil service Felix Nweke.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja held that the EFCC proved the nine-count charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
The judge convicted Nwabuoku on all counts and sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment on each count, totalling 72 years. He ordered that the sentences run concurrently and that there was no option of a fine.
Justice Omotosho said the act of diverting funds meant for security and defence was “appalling” and commended the EFCC for its handling of the case.
He also noted that the evidence showed Chukwunyere Nwabuoku refunded part of the funds during the investigation, a fact not challenged by the defence.
