A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to a cumulative 72 years imprisonment for money laundering involving N868.4 million.

Delivering judgment on Monday, the presiding judge, James Omotosho, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved the charges against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

Nwabuoku was arraigned on a nine-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and fraud. He had earlier been granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.

According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, the EFCC accused him of conspiring with several companies, including Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited, to convert funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The offences, the commission said, contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), which prescribes penalties for such crimes.

The anti-graft agency further stated that Nwabuoku committed the offences while serving as Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.

His no-case submission was dismissed by the court in November 2025, paving the way for the final judgment.

Nwabuoku was appointed Acting Accountant-General on May 20, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged N80 billion fraud.

He was, however, removed from office in July 2022, barely weeks after his appointment, amid reports of an ongoing EFCC investigation.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has named Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, Registrar of Baze University, as the recipient of its 2026 Education Human Rights Award for “Knowledge, Enlightenment and Sustainable Future.”

In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the organisation said the award recognises Adeniyi’s longstanding contributions to public education and the promotion of citizens’ rights.

HURIWA described the awardee as a respected researcher, journalist, and public intellectual whose work has consistently focused on combating ignorance and fostering informed citizenship. It noted that his humility, dedication to public service, and commitment to nurturing future generations have set him apart as a strong advocate for the right to education and knowledge dissemination in Nigeria.

According to Onwubiko, Professor Adeniyi’s career reflects a unique blend of academic excellence and civic engagement, with influence extending beyond the classroom into journalism and public enlightenment initiatives that have strengthened democratic values and human rights awareness.

Reacting to the honour, Abiodun Adeniyi described the recognition as a “shocking honour,” expressing gratitude to HURIWA for the award. He dedicated the recognition to the leadership of Baze University, including its Founder and Chancellor, Datti Baba-Ahmed, and the Vice-Chancellor, Jamila Shuara, for their support and encouragement.

He noted that their leadership has fostered an enabling environment for intellectual growth, administrative excellence, and sustained contributions to national development through education.

HURIWA further disclosed that the formal presentation of the award will take place in June 2026 alongside other honourees across various categories.

The Education Human Rights Award is one of the organisation’s flagship recognitions, aimed at celebrating individuals and institutions that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing education as a fundamental human right and a catalyst for societal transformation.

Nigeria’s state governors have disclosed that proposals for the establishment of state police are nearing submission to the National Assembly, signaling a major step in ongoing efforts to reform the country’s security architecture.

The development was made known by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, after leading over 20 governors on a Sallah visit to Bola Tinubu at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.

AbdulRazaq stated that consultations are ongoing with security agencies, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, to fine-tune the framework for the proposed state policing system.

According to him, governors have already submitted recommendations outlining a legislative structure that would empower individual states to establish and manage their own police forces.

He added that the governors remain committed to strengthening collaboration with federal security agencies as part of broader efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, and other forms of insecurity across the country.

The push for state police has intensified in recent years amid growing security concerns nationwide, with many stakeholders advocating decentralized policing as a more effective approach to addressing local security challenges.