Graduates of the master's degree in criminal law at Pasundan University began their careers as judges at the Soasio Tidore District Court, Central Halmahera in 1992. Four years later, Nawawi was transferred to the Tondano District Court, North Sulawesi. In 2001, Nawawi was transferred to the Balikpapan District Court. Four years later, in 2005, he was transferred to the Makassar District Court.

Some cases handled by Nawawi are the case of former Constitutional Court judge Patrialis Akbar in the case of bribery related to the review of the Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Law. Then the case of former Chairman of the Regional Representative Council Irman Gusman in the case of bribery related to the import sugar quota, and former President of PKS Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq in the case of bribery related to the arrangement of import quota for cattle and money laundering.

Nawawi has assets worth Rp3,713,500,000 (Rp3.7 billion) as reported in the state organizer's wealth report (LHKPN). He reported his wealth on January 30, 2023, for the 2022 period. Nawawi has seven plots of land and buildings with a total value of Rp2.3 billion. The land and buildings are located in Bolaang Mongondow and Balikpapan.

Nawawi also has assets in the form of cash and cash equivalents worth Rp702 million and other assets worth Rp235 million. He has no debt, so Nawawi's total assets amount to Rp3,713,500,000.