By PressNGR

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has handed down a 72-year prison sentence to Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, for his involvement in a N868.4 million fraud scheme.

Justice James Omotosho, in his ruling on Monday, convicted Nwabuoku on all nine counts of money laundering and misappropriation of public funds filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that the ex-government official worked alongside private companies to siphon public funds.

Details of the Fraud
Court documents revealed that Nwabuoku entered into a criminal conspiracy with several companies—Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited—to launder funds believed to be proceeds of illegal activities.

The charges fall under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

The EFCC informed the court that the fraudulent activities occurred between 2019 and 2021 during Nwabuoku’s tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence.

Background
Nwabuoku was initially arraigned on a nine-count amended charge and had secured bail of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.

His earlier bid to terminate the trial through a no-case submission was rejected by the court in November 2025.

He was appointed Acting Accountant-General on May 20, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged N80 billion fraud. However, his tenure was short-lived as he was relieved of his duties in July 2022 amid the EFCC’s investigation.