A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Anamekwe Nwabuoku, former acting accountant-general of the federation, to 72 years in prison for money laundering.
Delivering judgment on Monday, trial judge James Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully proved its case against the former government official.
Nwabuoku had been arraigned on a nine-count amended charge involving money laundering and fraud amounting to N868.4 million. He was earlier granted bail set at N500 million, with two sureties in the same amount.
The court found him guilty on all nine counts and sentenced him to eight years on each count, bringing the total to 72 years. However, the sentences are to run concurrently.
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Justice Omotosho described the diversion of funds meant for security and defence during Nwabuoku’s time as director of finance and accounts at the Ministry of Defence as “appalling”.
He also commended the EFCC for what he called a thorough prosecution of the case.
The judge noted that evidence from the ninth prosecution witness, which showed that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded over N200 million during the investigation, was not contested by the defence.
Background
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, the EFCC accused Nwabuoku of working with several companies, including Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited, to launder funds believed to be proceeds of illegal activities.
According to the anti-graft agency, the offences violate provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and are punishable under the law.
The EFCC said the offences were committed between 2019 and 2021 while Nwabuoku served as director of finance and accounts at the Ministry of Defence.
His no-case submission was dismissed by the court in November 2025.
Nwabuoku was appointed acting accountant-general of the federation on May 20, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari after the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged N80 billion fraud.
He was, however, removed from office in July 2022, just weeks after his appointment, following reports that he was under EFCC investigation.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
