The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has sentenced a former acting accountant-general of the federation, Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, to 72 years’ imprisonment for N868 million fraud.

Justice James Omotosho, who delivered the judgment on Monday, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully proved the nine-count charge against Mr Nwabuoku beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court convicted Mr Nwabuoku on all nine counts and sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment on each, totalling 72 years.

The sentences are, however, to run concurrently.

The judge described as “appalling” the diversion of funds meant for security and defence during Mr Nwabuoku’s tenure as director of finance and accounts in the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Omotosho also noted that evidence presented by the prosecution, including testimony that the defendant voluntarily refunded over N200 million during the investigation, was not challenged by the defence.

He lauded the EFCC for its thorough prosecution of the case.

The anti-graft agency first arraigned Mr Nwabuoku along with Felix Nweke, who worked under him in the Federal Ministry of Defence.

The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, relate to alleged offences committed between 2019 and 2021 while he served in the ministry.

Mr Nwabuoku was appointed acting accountant‑general of the federation in May 2022 following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged N80 million fraud but was removed a few weeks later.

However, Messrs Nwabuoku and Nweke asked the court for time to refund the alleged loot, but they later withdrew the request.

The EFCC subsequently amended the charges, naming Mr Nwabuoku as the sole defendant, with Mr Nweke turned into one of the prosecution witnesses.

The commission re-arraigned him on 15 January 2025 on the amended nine-count charge while he underwent trial on bail.

The judge granted Mr Nwabuoku N500 million bail with two sureties following his arraignment.