Photo: Chukwunyere Nwabuoku
A former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has been convicted and sentenced to a cumulative 72 years in prison over an alleged N868.46 million fraud, bringing to a close a high-profile corruption trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Nwabuoku on January 15, 2025, on nine amended counts of money laundering. He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties in like amount.
Prosecutors accused the former senior government official of conspiring with several companies — including Temero Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited — to conceal and convert funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.
The commission further alleged that Nwabuoku laundered about N86 million while serving as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. In the course of the trial, the prosecution called nine witnesses, including Eucharia Ezeodi, a staff member of Zenith Bank, and Felix Nweke, a director in the federal civil service.
After the prosecution closed its case, the defendant filed a no-case submission, arguing through his lawyer, Mr Quakers, that the evidence presented — including witness testimonies and documentary exhibits — failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
On November 3, 2025, counsel to both parties adopted their written addresses and presented arguments for and against the application. While the defence urged the court to uphold the submission, prosecuting counsel, Mr Iheanacho, asked the court to dismiss it and order the defendant to enter his defence.
In a ruling delivered later in November, the trial judge held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring Nwabuoku to open his defence. The court ruled that the exhibits and evidence tendered provided sufficient grounds for the trial to proceed.
Nwabuoku opened his defence on February 2, praying the court to acquit and discharge him of the alleged N868.46 million fraud. Led in evidence by his counsel, he denied being a signatory to some of the companies allegedly linked to the transactions under investigation.
Following the close of the defence, both parties adopted their final written addresses, after which the court adjourned for judgment. The judge later found him guilty and imposed a cumulative prison sentence of 72 years.
The EFCC had earlier arraigned Nwabuoku alongside Felix Nweke, who worked under him at the Federal Ministry of Defence. In July last year, both defendants sought time from the court to refund the alleged misappropriated funds but later withdrew the request.
