Court jails former Accountant-General of the Federation for eight years over N868.4million fraud
A former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, has been sentenced to eight years in prison without an option of fine by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Penpushing reports that the trial judge Justice, James Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku on Monday on all nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment for each count, equally ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
The trial judge, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved the nine counts of money laundering against him beyond reasonable doubt, and described Nwabuoku’s diversion of funds meant for security and defence as appalling.
Penpushing further reports that Omotosho commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what he described as a detailed prosecution, pointing out that the testimony of the ninth prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded over N200 million during the investigation was not challenged by the defence
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) first arraigned Nwabuoku along with Felix Nweke, who worked under him in the Federal Ministry of Defence, and in July last year, Nwabuoku and his co-defendant asked the court for time to refund the alleged loot, but later withdrew the request
Penpushing also reports that the agency subsequently amended the charges, naming Nwabuoku as the sole defendant, with Nweke turned into one of the prosecution witnesses, and was re-arraigned on January 15, 2025.
The former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), underwent trial on bail, while the judge granted him N500 million bail with two sureties following his arraignment, while the commission said the offence was contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as (amended by Act No. 1 of 2012) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
Penpushing reports that the anti-graft said Nwabuoku was alleged to have perpetrated the act while he served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
The convict was appointed acting Accountant‑General of the Federation in May 2022 following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged N80 million fraud but was removed a few weeks later.
Penpushing further reports that a Director at the Treasury Single Account Department, Sylva Okolieaboh,, replaced him amid reports while under Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation.
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