A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to a total of 72 years imprisonment over fraud involving 868.46 million naira.

Nwabuoku was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges bordering on money laundering.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Monday, the EFCC described the conviction as a significant milestone in its efforts to promote accountability and deter financial crimes in Nigeria’s public sector.

The commission said the offences involved the diversion and concealment of public funds amounting to over 868 million naira, which were allegedly laundered through multiple transactions.

The court found Nwabuoku guilty after reviewing evidence presented by the prosecution, which detailed the movement of the funds.

According to the EFCC, the 72-year sentence represents the cumulative penalties for the various counts on which he was convicted.

Nwabuoku had briefly served as Acting Accountant-General of the Federation before he was removed from office following corruption allegations.