Federal High Court for Abuja don sentence one former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to 72 years imprisonment for money laundering and fraud wey reach N868.4 million. Justice James Omotosho wey dey preside over the case deliver judgment on Monday, say the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) don prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
Nwabuoku face nine-count charge wey involve money laundering and fraudulent diversion of public funds. The court find am guilty for all the counts and sentence am to eight years imprisonment for each count, wey make am total 72 years. But the court order say the sentences go run concurrently, meaning say the total time wey e go spend for prison no go pass eight years.
Justice Omotosho describe Nwabuoku offense as “appalling,” especially because the money wey e divert na funds wey dem mean for security and defense matters for Nigeria. Nwabuoku serve as Director of Finance and Accounts for Federal Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021, and na for that period e carry out the illegal activities.
The judge commend EFCC for their thorough investigation and prosecution of the case. E note say evidence wey the prosecution bring show say Nwabuoku don refund over N200 million during the investigation, and the defense no challenge that testimony. The judge talk say the timing of the money wey enter Nwabuoku account from August 2019 coincide with the period of the alleged offenses.
According to the charge wey dem mark as FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, Nwabuoku conspire with several companies like Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited to convert funds wey dem suspect na proceeds of unlawful activities. The offense contravene Section 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011, as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012.
Justice Omotosho talk say Nwabuoku use shell companies and friends to hide the source of the funds, but EFCC investigation dey detailed enough to link am to the money. The judge express concern say as director for Ministry of Defence, Nwabuoku divert funds wey suppose improve security situation for Nigeria into private pockets.
When dem call Nwabuoku lawyer, Isidore Udenko, to talk for am, e beg the court for mercy, say Nwabuoku na first offender wey don serve Nigeria for 35 years. Nwabuoku self beg for leniency, say e don return some money from e shares and e go refund the remaining if court show mercy. But Justice Omotosho say the decision to refund all the stolen money come too late.
The judge direct EFCC to file formal application for forfeiture of Nwabuoku assets and properties wey relate to the crime. E say the defense go get chance to respond to the application before final order go come out.
Nwabuoku first arraign last year with Felix Nweke, wey work under am for Federal Ministry of Defence. Both defendants later tell court say dem want enter plea bargain agreement with EFCC. After that, EFCC amend their charge and remove Nweke, wey later testify as prosecution witness during Nwabuoku trial.
Nwabuoku appoint as acting Accountant-General of the Federation on May 20, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari after dem suspend Ahmed Idris over alleged N109 billion fraud. But dem remove Nwabuoku from the position in July 2022, just few weeks after e assume office, because reports say EFCC dey investigate am.
This case na part of EFCC fight against corruption for Nigeria, especially for public office. The sentencing send strong message to other public officials wey dey think say dem fit divert public funds without consequences.
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