Former acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has been sentenced to 72 years imprisonment by federal high court in Abuja, for money laundering.
Presiding judge, James Omotosho, while delivering verdict on Monday, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proved its case against Nwabuoku.
He was granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court, however, ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
Omotosho described Nwabuoku’s diversion of funds meant for security and defence, while serving as director of finance and accounts at the ministry of defence, as “appalling”.
He noted that the testimony of the ninth prosecution witness — that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded over N200 million during the investigation — was not challenged by the defence.
The New Daily Prime reported in January that the EFCC charged Nwabuoku with laundering.
The EFCC took Nwabuoku and Felix Nweke, a former deputy director at the Ministry of Defence, to a Federal High Court in Abuja in July 2024.
The case took a turn in October 2024 when both men asked for a plea bargain – where they would admit guilt in exchange for a lighter sentence. They also requested more time to return the money they allegedly took.
