The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced Nigeria’s former Accountant General of the Federation, Chukwuenyere Nwabuoku, to a cumulative 72 years imprisonment for fraud involving ₦868 million, in a landmark judgment delivered on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Presiding over the case, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution, led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), successfully proved the nine-count charge of money laundering against the former public official beyond reasonable doubt.
The court handed down eight years imprisonment on each of the nine counts, amounting to 72 years. However, Justice Omotosho ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve a maximum of eight years in prison.
Describing the offence as a grave betrayal of public trust, the judge condemned Nwabuoku’s actions, noting that the funds diverted were earmarked for critical national needs.
“It is appalling that funds meant for security and defence were diverted for personal use,” Justice Omotosho stated during the ruling.
The court also acknowledged that Nwabuoku had refunded ₦200 million to authorities during the investigation, a claim that was not disputed by the Ministry of Defence. Despite this, the judge maintained that the gravity of the offence warranted strict punishment.
Nwabuoku, who previously served as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was initially arraigned on January 15, 2025. He had been granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million with two sureties.
The EFCC charged him as the sole defendant in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024.
The conviction marks another high-profile success in Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, reinforcing the judiciary’s stance on accountability and financial transparency in public service.