₦868m Fraud: Ex-AGF Chukwunyere Nwabuoku jailed 72 years

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to 72 years imprisonment for ₦868 million fraud.

Delivering judgment, James Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proven the nine-count money laundering charges against Nwabuoku beyond reasonable doubt.

“The defendant is hereby convicted as charged,” the judge said, convicting Nwabuoku on all nine counts. He sentenced him to eight years imprisonment on each count, making a total of 72 years, with the terms to run concurrently.

Justice James 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.” He commended the EFCC for its meticulous prosecution.

The judge also noted that evidence from the ninth prosecution witness, showing that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded over ₦200 million during the investigation, was not contested by the defence.

Nwabuoku was arraigned on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge and had been granted bail of ₦500 million with two sureties of the same amount. The offences were committed while he served as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.