The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed the bail application filed by Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, the former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, who is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence for laundering N868.5 million. The ruling, delivered on Friday by a three-member panel led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, upheld the opposition of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that Nwabuoku failed to establish sufficient grounds for release pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction.
Court Ruling and EFCC Opposition
In delivering the lead ruling, Justice Banjoko held that the application lacked merit. The EFCC, in a statement shared with Premium Times by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the court's decision. The anti-graft agency had earlier opposed the bail application through its lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who filed a counter-affidavit on 25 May. The EFCC argued that the offences for which Nwabuoku was convicted were serious, involving the diversion of substantial public funds and undermining the government's capacity to address the country's security challenges.
Background of the Conviction
On 23 March, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Nwabuoku to eight years in prison after finding him guilty of laundering N868.465 million. Nwabuoku briefly served as Acting Accountant General of the Federation in 2022 following the suspension of Ahmed Idris, who was being investigated by the EFCC over alleged corruption. His tenure lasted less than two months before he was removed after the anti-graft agency launched an investigation into separate allegations of financial misconduct against him. The EFCC had prosecuted Nwabuoku on an amended nine counts, alleging that he laundered public funds while serving as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Federal Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.
Bail Application Grounds
Following his conviction, Nwabuoku filed an appeal and subsequently applied for bail on health grounds. In his application filed on 8 May through his lawyer, N.I. Quakers (SAN), Nwabuoku argued that his medical condition had deteriorated while in custody and that he required specialised treatment beyond what the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, the designated hospital for inmates of the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, could provide. He described himself as a responsible citizen and former Acting Accountant General, and told the court that he had credible sureties who would ensure his appearance if granted bail.
EFCC's Counter-Arguments
The EFCC opposed the application, maintaining that there was no medical evidence showing that Nwabuoku could not continue receiving treatment, including surgery if necessary, at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital while serving his sentence. According to the commission, the fact that correctional authorities had transferred him to the teaching hospital for medical evaluation demonstrated that he had not been denied access to medical care. The EFCC further argued that granting bail pending appeal would erode public confidence in the administration of criminal justice and undermine the country's fight against corruption and money laundering.
Current Status
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Banjoko held that the application lacked merit and dismissed it. Nwabuoku's substantive appeal against his conviction and sentence is still pending before the Court of Appeal. The EFCC welcomed the decision, reiterating its commitment to combating financial crimes and ensuring that convicted individuals face the consequences of their actions.
