Ex-Accountant General Jailed 72 Years for N868m Fraud

Chukwunyer Anamekw Nwabuoku, the former Accountant General of the Federation, was sentenced to 72 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Abuja for his role in a fraud case involving N868.46 million. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed that Nwabuoku was charged with money laundering, which included allegations of converting funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

He was appointed as the acting Accountant General in May 2022 but was suspended shortly after due to allegations of a separate N800 million fraud. Nwabuoku was arraigned on January 15, 2025, on nine amended counts of money laundering, and the court granted him bail of N500 million with two sureties.

The EFCC's prosecution involved nine witnesses, including a Zenith Bank staff member and a director from the Federal Civil Service. The charges against him contravened the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011, as amended.