A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to a cumulative 72 years in prison over a high-profile money laundering case involving N868.46 million.
The conviction followed a prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which charged Nwabuoku with multiple counts bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and illegal diversion of public funds. The trial, held at the Federal High Court in Abuja, detailed how the former treasury chief allegedly funneled government funds through a network of bank accounts to conceal their origin.
Fraudulent Offences
According to court proceedings, the offences were committed during his tenure in the Office of the Accountant-General, where he briefly served in an acting capacity in 2022 following the suspension of his predecessor. Prosecutors argued that Nwabuoku exploited systemic loopholes in Nigeria’s public financial management architecture to divert funds for personal use.
The court found him guilty on multiple counts, with sentences ranging across the charges. While the cumulative sentence totals 72 years, legal analysts note that under Nigerian law, such sentences are often served concurrently, meaning the actual time in custody may be significantly less, subject to judicial interpretation and any appellate outcomes.
This case forms part of a broader anti-corruption push by the EFCC targeting senior public officials accused of abusing their positions. It also echoes earlier prosecutions involving top treasury officials, including the ongoing cases linked to former Accountant-General Ahmed Idris, underscoring persistent governance challenges in Nigeria’s fiscal administration.
