A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Anamekwe Nwabuoku, the former acting Accountant‑General of the Federation, to 72 years in prison for fraud and money laundering involving ₦868.4 million.
The judgment, delivered on Monday, follows a prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which presented evidence linking Nwabuoku to the embezzlement of public funds during his tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
Nwabuoku faced a nine-count amended charge, including conspiracy, money laundering, and conversion of public funds. The court, however, granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million with two sureties in like sum.
Appointed Acting Accountant‑General in May 2022, Nwabuoku was removed from the position weeks later amid ongoing investigations. The case highlights Nigeria’s intensified crackdown on corruption within the public sector.
The EFCC has said the conviction sends a strong signal that mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds will no longer be tolerated.
