In a landmark judgment delivered on Monday, March 23, 2026, a 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 N868.4 million fraud scheme.
The judgment was handed down by Justice James Omotosho, who found the former top government official guilty on multiple counts of money laundering in a case prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to court proceedings, Nwabuoku, who once served as Director of Finance at the Ministry of Defence, admitted to authorising the transfer of public funds amounting to N868,465,000 into four private companies under the guise of “classified” or security-related operations.
The companies named in the fraudulent transactions include:
• Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited
• Turge Global Investment Limited
• Laptev Bridge
• Arafura Transnational Afro Limited
In a dramatic twist during trial, the former official reversed his earlier denial and acknowledged, in a prior statement made to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on February 2, 2025, that he indeed facilitated the transfers.
Lead prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, confronted Nwabuoku with the incriminating statement during cross-examination, exposing contradictions in his defense. The prosecution maintained that no credible evidence was presented to justify the transactions as legitimate security expenditures.
The court accepted the EFCC’s argument that the funds were unlawfully diverted and laundered through private entities in a coordinated scheme of financial misappropriation.
Further revelations emerged regarding the acquisition of Nwabuoku’s residence. Although he initially claimed the property was legitimately acquired, he later admitted that a N64 million cheque issued by Mdavi Limited was used to secure the property through City Gate Homes—raising additional concerns over the source of funds.
Nwabuoku was arraigned on an amended nine-count charge bordering on money laundering, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. His conviction marks a significant victory in Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption fight.
Chronicles Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding this case and its broader implications for accountability in public office.