Ex-Accountant-General Anamekwe Nwabuoku Sentenced To 72 Years In Prison For N868m Fraud

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Anamekwe Nwabuoku, a former acting accountant-general of the federation, to 72 years in prison for money laundering.

The judgment was delivered on Monday by Justice James Omotosho, who said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully proved the case against him.

In a statement shared on its page, the EFCC said Nwabuoku was convicted over money laundering involving about N868.46 million.

“The former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, who was prosecuted by the EFCC at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for money laundering involving N868.46 million, has been convicted and sentenced to jail for 72 years,” the statement read.

Although he was earlier granted bail of N500 million with two sureties of the same amount, the court later found him guilty on all nine counts.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison for each count, adding up to 72 years.

However, the court ruled that the sentences would run at the same time.

Justice Omotosho held that Nwabuoku diverting funds meant for security and defence while serving as director of finance and accounts at the ministry of defence is shocking.

He also praised the EFCC for handling the case carefully and thoroughly.

The judge pointed out that the defence did not challenge the testimony of the ninth prosecution witness, who said Nwabuoku returned over N200 million during the investigation.

Anamekwe Nwabuoku was appointed acting accountant-general on May 20, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari after Ahmed Idris was suspended over an alleged N80 billion fraud case.

However, Nwabuoku was removed from the role in July 2022, just weeks after taking office, following reports that he was being investigated by the EFCC.

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