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A panel of three Judges of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, has rejected the bail application, filed by the convicted former Acting Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku for lack of merit.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on Monday, March 23, 2026 convicted and sentenced Nwabuoku to 72 years imprisonment at the Kuje Medium Security Correctional Centre, Abuja, for money laundering amounting to N868.4 million.
However, he appealed the decision and sought to be admitted on bail for health reasons, pending the decision of his appeal.
Consequently, Nwabuoku on May 8, 2026, through his lawyer, N.1 Quakers, SAN, applied for bail over his alleged ill health, which he said had deteriorated and required medical attention beyond what the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, designated for inmates at the Nigerian Medium Security Correctional Centre, Kuje Abuja, could offer.
Nwabuoku in his application stated that he is a responsible citizen who is the Acting Accountant General of the Federation and that he has credible assurances that can take him on bail.
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EFCC Counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, in response, filed a counter affidavit on 25 May 2026 arguing that the offenses for which the appellant was convicted were serious in nature, as they involved massive corruption which contributed to hampering the government in addressing the insecurity plaguing the country.
Counsel for the EFCC also noted that there was no medical evidence before the court to show that the applicant could not continue to receive treatment, even surgery at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital while serving his sentence. According to legal counsel, the fact that the applicant is confined at the Kuje Medium Security Detention Center, Abuja and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital for medical evaluation shows that the Correctional Services authorities are proactive towards his medical needs and have not denied him medical treatment so far.
The EFCC’s legal counsel further argued that granting bail to the appellant, pending the decision of his appeal, would undermine public confidence in the administration of criminal justice. “Granting bail to the Petitioner/Petitioner in this case will send the wrong signal to the public and weaken confidence in the eradication of corruption, money laundering and misuse of public funds intended for national security,” he said.
The panel of judges in its ruling on Friday, read by Justice Adebukola Banjoko stated that the application was without merit and dismissed the application.
