Alleged Plot By 3 Appeal Court Justices To Free Ex-Accountant-General Jailed For ₦868Million Fraud Uncovered
Nwabuoku was convicted and sentenced to 72 years’ imprisonment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 23, 2026, after being found guilty on nine counts of money laundering involving ₦868,465,000.
SaharaReporters has uncovered allegations of a scheme involving three justices of the Court of Appeal to secure the release of former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, from Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, today (Tuesday).
Nwabuoku was convicted and sentenced to 72 years’ imprisonment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 23, 2026, after being found guilty on nine counts of money laundering involving ₦868,465,000.
Details of the alleged arrangement, including the identities of the three appellate justices and the nature of their purported involvement, have yet to be determined
Justice Omotosho, in his judgment, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proved all nine charges against Nwabuoku beyond reasonable doubt.
The court sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment on each count, amounting to 72 years.
However, the sentences were ordered to run concurrently, meaning he would serve an effective prison term of eight years, without an option of a fine.
The trial judge described Nwabuoku’s diversion of funds earmarked for security and defence as “appalling,” particularly given his former position as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Federal Ministry of Defence.
The court also observed that evidence presented by the prosecution established that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded more than ₦200 million during the EFCC investigation, a fact the defence did not dispute.
According to the prosecution, the offences were committed between 2019 and 2021 while Nwabuoku served at the Ministry of Defence.
Nwabuoku was initially arraigned on January 15, 2025, on nine amended counts of money laundering and was granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million with two sureties.
His conviction represented a significant victory for the anti-corruption agency in its prosecution of senior public officials accused of diverting public resources.
The alleged move to secure his release now raises serious questions requiring urgent clarification from the judiciary, particularly regarding the integrity of the appellate process and whether any improper interference has occurred.
COURTESY: SaharaReporters
