A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to 72 years imprisonment over a N868.4 million fraud case.
The judgment was delivered on Monday, March 23, 2026, by Justice James Omotosho, who found the former government official guilty on multiple counts of money laundering.
 |
| Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku |
The case was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accused Nwabuoku of laundering a total sum of N868,465,000 through various private companies.
How The Fraud Unfolded
During the trial, Nwabuoku, who previously served as Director of Finance at the Ministry of Defence, admitted in February that he authorised the transfer of funds from the ministry to four private firms for what he described as “classified purposes.”
He further revealed that in a statement made to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on February 2, 2025, he acknowledged overseeing the transactions for undisclosed security-related operations.
The companies linked to the transactions include Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited.
Dramatic Twist In Court
The defendant’s admission marked a sharp reversal from his earlier position, where he denied any dealings with the firms and claimed he only became aware of them during court proceedings.
Under cross-examination, prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, confronted him with his prior statement to the ICPC, exposing contradictions in his testimony.
The prosecution maintained that there was no evidence to justify the transfers as legitimate security expenditures, noting that no official documentation linked the funds to lawful government operations.
EFCC’s Position
According to the EFCC, the transactions were part of a broader scheme of financial misappropriation, with public funds allegedly diverted and laundered through private companies under the guise of security spending.
Property Controversy
In a related development, Nwabuoku claimed he acquired his residence through legitimate means. However, under further questioning, he admitted that a cheque of N64 million issued by Mdavi Limited was used to pay City Gate Homes for the property.
This revelation raised further concerns from the prosecution regarding the origin of the funds and his relationship with the company.
Court Verdict
The EFCC had arraigned the former official on an amended nine-count charge bordering on money laundering, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
With the conviction, the court upheld the anti-graft agency’s argument that the funds were unlawfully diverted and laundered through private entities, culminating in a cumulative 72-year prison sentence.