The Federal High Court, Abuja, has convicted and sentenced former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to a cumulative 72 years imprisonment over his involvement in a N868.46 million fraud.
Nwabuoku was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a multi-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and illegal diversion of public funds.
According to the anti-graft agency, the former accountant-general of the federation fraudulently diverted N868,465,000 belonging to the federal government into private accounts. Investigations revealed that the funds were laundered through a network of bank accounts and shell transactions designed to conceal the illicit origin of the money.
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During the trial, the prosecution presented documentary evidence, including bank statements, payment vouchers, and testimonies from financial experts, which established how the funds were moved in tranches to avoid detection.
Witnesses also detailed the role played by the defendant in authorising and facilitating the transactions.
Delivering judgment, the court found Nwabuoku guilty on multiple counts and imposed various prison terms across the charges.
The sentences, which span several years per count, amount to a total of 72 years.
The court, however, clarified that the sentences are to run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve them at the same time rather than consecutively, in line with established judicial practice.
The EFCC, in its reaction, described the judgment as a significant milestone in its anti-corruption drive, reiterating its commitment to holding public officials accountable and ensuring transparency in government financial operations.
