N868m fraud: A’court dismisses ex-accountant-general Nwabuoku’s bail application

The court of appeal in Abuja has dismissed an application by
Anamekwe Nwabuoku, former acting accountant-general of the federation, seeking
bail from prison.

On March 23, a federal high court in Abuja sentenced
Nwabuoku to 72 years’ imprisonment for money laundering and fraud amounting to
N868.4 million.

James Omotosho, the judge, ruled that the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved its case against Nwabuoku.

The judge convicted the defendant on all nine counts and
sentenced him to eight years in prison on each count.

Omotosho said the sentences, totalling 72 years, will run
concurrently.

In a statement issued on Friday, the EFCC said Nwabuoku,
through his lawyer, Norrison Quakers, appealed the judgment on May 8 and sought
bail on health grounds, pending the determination of the appeal.

Nwabuoku said his health was deteriorating and that he
required medical care beyond what the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital,
the designated medical facility for inmates at the Kuje Correctional Centre,
could provide.

However, Ekele Iheanacho, counsel to the EFCC, filed a
counter-affidavit on May 25, arguing that the offences for which Nwabuoku was
convicted involved large-scale corruption that hampered the government’s
efforts to tackle the country’s pervasive insecurity.

The EFCC counsel noted that there was no medical evidence
before the court to show that the appellant could not continue to receive
treatment, including surgery, at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

Iheanacho said Nwabuoku’s confinement at the Kuje prison and
his medical evaluation at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital showed that
the correctional centre was responsive to his medical needs and had not denied
him medical attention.

The EFCC counsel added that granting Nwabuoku bail, pending
the determination of his appeal, would undermine public confidence in the
administration of criminal justice.

“Granting bail to the appellant/applicant in the
circumstances of this case would send a 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,” he said.

On Friday, a three-member panel of the appeal court, led by
Adebukola Banjoko, dismissed Nwabuoku’s bail application for lack of merit.

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