The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to 72 years in prison over a N868 million fraud case.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Monday, convicting Nwabuoku on all nine counts of money laundering brought against him. The charges were filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the judge imposed an eight-year sentence on each of the nine counts, to run concurrently, without the option of a fine.

Justice Omotosho described the offence as disturbing, noting that the funds diverted were meant for security and defence during Nwabuoku’s tenure as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.

The court also acknowledged that the convict refunded over N200 million during the investigation, a claim that was not challenged by the defence.

Nwabuoku was prosecuted under charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024 for laundering a total of N868 million.