A Nigerian court sentenced former acting Accountant-General Chukwunyere Nwabuoku to 72 years for laundering $2.2 million in defense funds.

A Nigerian court has sentenced Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, to 72 years in prison for money laundering and fraud involving about ₦868.4 million. The Federal High Court in Abuja found him guilty on nine counts, each carrying eight years, to run concurrently. The judge ruled the EFCC proved the charges beyond doubt, stating Nwabuoku diverted defense funds during his tenure as director of finance and accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He conspired with several companies to launder the money, violating Nigeria’s Money Laundering Act. The court commended the EFCC’s prosecution and noted Nwabuoku had repaid over ₦200 million. He was granted ₦500 million bail but was removed from office in 2022 amid an ongoing investigation.