Appeal Court rejects ex-acting accountant-general Nwabuoku’s bail bid in N868m fraud case

THE Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an application for bail filed by former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Anamekwe Nwabuoku, pending the hearing of his appeal against his conviction for fraud and money laundering.

Nwabuoku was on March 23 sentenced to 72 years in prison by the Federal High Court Abuja after being found guilty of laundering and fraudulently diverting N868.4 million.

Justice James Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Nwabuoku on all 9 counts. He imposed an 8-year prison term on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.

According to a statement issued by the EFCC on Friday, Nwabuoku, through his counsel, Norrison Quakers (SAN), filed an appeal against the judgment on May 8 and sought bail on health grounds pending the determination of the appeal.

He argued that his health had deteriorated and that the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, the designated medical facility for inmates of the Kuje Correctional Centre, lacked the capacity to provide the specialised treatment he required.

Opposing the application, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho filed a counter-affidavit on May 25, contending that Nwabuoku’s conviction involved large-scale corruption that undermined government efforts to address the country’s security challenges.

Iheanacho further argued that the applicant failed to provide medical evidence showing that the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital could not adequately treat him, including carrying out any required surgery.

He also maintained that prison authorities had consistently granted Nwabuoku access to medical care and had not denied him treatment while in custody.

The EFCC warned that granting bail pending appeal would erode public confidence in the administration of justice and weaken the country’s anti-corruption efforts.

“Granting bail to the appellant in the circumstances of this case would send the wrong signal to the public and undermine confidence in the fight against corruption, money laundering and the misuse of public funds earmarked for national security,” Iheanacho argued.

In its ruling on Friday, a 3-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko dismissed the bail application, holding that it lacked merit.