A former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, has been convicted and sentenced to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine by the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice James Omotosho for being involved in money laundering.
In his Judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved the nine-count money laundering charge against Nwabuoku beyond reasonable doubt and convicted him in all the nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment in each of the counts, making 72 years.
According to the Judge, all the counts shall however, run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho, described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence as appalling.
Buttressing his judgment, Justice Omotosho pointed out that the evidence of the 9th prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over ₦200 million during the investigation was not controverted by the defence.
Recall, Nwabuoku was arraigned on Jan. 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge and was alleged to have perpetrated the actwhile serving as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
