Federal Court Hands Former Finance Chief Lengthy Jail Term Over Money Laundering

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to 72 years in prison, with no option for a fine.

Delivering the judgment on Monday, March 23, 2026, Justice James Omotosho affirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully proved the nine-count money laundering charges against Nwabuoku beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge found Nwabuoku guilty on all nine counts, imposing an eight-year term for each charge. The sentences will run concurrently. Justice Omotosho described the diversion of funds intended for security and defence while Nwabuoku served as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence as “appalling” and praised the EFCC for its diligent prosecution.
The court also acknowledged that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded over N200 million during the investigation, an action confirmed by the ninth prosecution witness and not contested by the defence.
Previously, Nwabuoku had been granted bail of N500 million with two sureties after his arraignment on January 15, 2025, on a nine-count amended charge. The EFCC’s case, filed as FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, alleged that he committed the offences between 2019 and 2021 during his tenure at the Ministry of Defence.