Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to a cumulative 72 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a N868.46 million fraud.

Nwabuoku was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on multiple counts bordering on money laundering and diversion of public funds.

According to a statement issued by the anti-graft agency yesterday via its official X handle, the conviction marks a significant milestone in an ongoing effort to enforce accountability and deter corruption in Nigeria’s public sector.

The EFCC disclosed that the offences involved the diversion and concealment of over N868 million through a web of financial transactions designed to obscure the origin of the funds.

Delivering judgment, the court found the former AGF guilty after reviewing evidence presented by the prosecution, which established how the illicit funds were laundered across multiple channels.

The 72-year sentence represents the aggregate of penalties imposed across the various counts on which he was convicted.

Nwabuoku, who briefly served as Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, was removed from office amid allegations of corruption before his prosecution.

The EFCC reiterated that the judgment underscored its commitment to tackling high-level financial crimes and reinforcing transparency within government institutions.

Nwabuoku was arraigned on a nine-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and fraud to the tune of N868.4 million.

Nwabuoku was convicted on all nine counts and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment on each count, amounting to a cumulative 72 years.

The court, however, ordered that the sentences run concurrently.

Omotosho described Nwabuoku’s diversion of funds meant for security and defence, while serving as director of finance and accounts at the Ministry of Defence, as “appalling”.