The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, the former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), to 72 years in prison for his involvement in a ₦868.46 million fraud.

Justice James Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku on nine counts of money laundering, sentencing him to eight years per count, to run concurrently.

The sentence, which carries no option of a fine, relates to the diversion of ₦868.46 million from the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.

The case was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accused the former public officer of illegally moving public funds amounting to ₦868,465,000 through private channels.

The court heard that Nwabuoku, who once served as Director of Finance at the Ministry of Defence, admitted during proceedings that he authorised the transfer of funds from the ministry to four private companies. He told the court the transfers were made for “classified purposes”.

During the trial, it was revealed that the former Accountant-General made the admission in a statement to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) dated February 2, 2025. In that statement, he acknowledged supervising the movement of funds to the companies for undisclosed security-related operations.

The companies linked to the transactions are Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited. Investigators told the court that these firms were used to channel the funds under suspicious circumstances.

Nwabuoku’s admission in court marked a sharp turnaround from his earlier position. At the beginning of the trial, he had denied any relationship with the companies. He also claimed he only became aware of them during court proceedings.

However, during cross-examination, prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, confronted him with his previous statement to the ICPC. Faced with the document, Nwabuoku admitted that he indeed facilitated the transactions.

The prosecution maintained that there was no evidence to justify the claim that the funds were used for legitimate security purposes. It told the court that no official records or approvals were presented to back the payments. The EFCC insisted that the transfers were part of a deliberate scheme to divert public funds.

According to the anti-graft agency, the money was moved through private companies under the cover of security expenditure. Investigators argued that the process lacked transparency and did not follow due government procedure.

In a related issue raised during the trial, Nwabuoku told the court that he acquired his residence legally. But under further questioning, he admitted that a cheque of ₦64 million issued by a company, Mdavi Limited, was used to pay City Gate Homes for the property.

The disclosure raised further questions about the origin of the funds and his financial dealings with private firms. The prosecution argued that the transaction suggested a pattern of questionable financial relationships.

Nwabuoku was initially arraigned on an amended nine-count charge bordering on money laundering. The charges were filed under the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

However, with the conviction, the court affirmed the EFCC’s position that the funds were unlawfully diverted and laundered.

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, is set to host a high-level virtual webinar focused on helping public institutions to strengthen revenue systems, improve fiscal transparency, and build smarter digital structures for collections, oversight, and accountability.

Scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the session, themed Digital Fiscal Transparency: Unlocking Sub-national Opportunities for International Partners, will bring together a cross-section of public sector leaders, development institutions, heads of parastatals and agencies, as well as financial experts to explore practical solutions for stronger public finance management.

“As public institutions seek ways to improve internally generated revenue and strengthen public trust, there has been a renewed focus on fiscal transparency. This is particularly important in the face of recent macro and micro economic developments with many public sector agencies under pressure to do more with limited resources.

“It is against this background that we have conceptualised this session with a particular focus on how digital platforms can support structured invoicing, seamless collections, payment automation, contractor disbursement transparency, real-time revenue oversight amongst other pertinent areas of revenue mobilization and administration in Nigeria”, commented Richard Madiebo, Divisional Head, Public Sector, Fidelity Bank Plc.

The event is expected to offer timely insights into how modern revenue infrastructure can help institutions improve efficiency, drive accountability, and support better fiscal outcomes.

The webinar will address key issues facing many public institutions today, including revenue leakages, fragmented collection channels, weak visibility into revenue performance, poor reconciliation processes, and the growing need for more transparent and technology-driven systems.

According to Madiebo, “The webinar forms part of our commitment to provide practical solutions that support public sector transformation and stronger sub-national development. This is in line with Fidelity Bank’s mandate to help individuals to grow, businesses to thrive and economies to prosper.”

Interested participants may register at www.fidelitybank.ng/publicsectorwebinar

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) stated that it did not detect the alleged “rape festival” in Ozoro, Delta State, earlier because it does not currently have an operational command or office in the state.

In response to public criticism regarding its lack of awareness of the “age-long culture,” the agency explained that it “cannot be everywhere at all times” and relies on societal participation to report such incidents.

The agency stressed that combating human trafficking and gender-based violence requires the active participation of all sectors of society.

A Facebook user identified as Chukwunenye Nweke had asked why the agency was not aware of the age-long culture.

“Did the festival start this month that NAPTIP Nigeria did not know about it before now?

“Well, since the evil and criminal act is tagged as tradition, I believe it has passed many generations. What were you doing since then?” Nweke had asked NAPTIP.

Responding to the question from the Facebook user, NAPTIP said, “As you know, we cannot be everywhere at all times. Currently, we do not have a command yet in the Delta State. Fighting this menace needs an approach from all of society.

“If you see something, say something. Going forward, we implore you to use your page and try to spread the information on the ills and dangers of Human Trafficking and Sexual and Gender-based violence.”

The agency had earlier strongly condemned the alleged assaults, describing the acts as violations of human rights and dignity and a form of gender-based violence.

“We commend the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State for their swift response and arrests of suspects, including the organizer and the community head.

“NAPTIP shall continue to support all actions aimed at ensuring justice for the victims as well as preventing the recurrence of such crimes in the future,” it said.

PUNCH Online had reported that the incident occurred on Thursday, March 19, during an annual festival in Ozoro.

Viral videos circulating on social media showed groups of men attacking women in public, forcefully tearing their clothes, and subjecting them to various forms of molestation.

Some accounts further allege that certain victims may have been raped, though these claims have not been officially verified.

According to local sources, the festival reportedly includes an expectation that women remain indoors during the event, with those found outside allegedly becoming targets for harassment.

The disturbing footage has sparked widespread outrage, prompting debates about cultural practices that may perpetuate violence against women.