Ex-Acting Accountant-General, Nwabuoku, Bags 72-Year Jail Term for ₦200m Defence Funds Diversion
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has convicted and sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to 72 years imprisonment on a nine-count charge of money laundering brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The defendant was found guilty on all nine counts and sentenced to eight years on each count, amounting to 72 years. However, the sentences are to run concurrently.
The court described Nwabuoku’s diversion of funds earmarked for national security and defence during his tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence (2019–2021) as “appalling.” The judge commended the EFCC’s meticulous prosecution and noted that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned ₦200 million during investigation, a fact unchallenged by the defence.
Nwabuoku was arraigned on January 15, 2025, on an amended nine-count charge and granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million with two sureties.
