A Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged and acquitted a former Executive Director of Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Tuoyo Omatsuli, alongside Francis Momoh and two companies, over an alleged N3.6bn fraud and money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering the judgment, Justice Daniel Osiagor ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the essential elements of money laundering and proceeds of unlawful activity against the defendants.
According to the court, the EFCC did not provide sufficient evidence to establish the allegations contained in the 46-count charge brought against the accused persons.
Justice Osiagor stated that after reviewing all the evidence presented by the prosecution witnesses, the court found no proof linking the defendants to the alleged financial crimes.
“The prosecution failed to establish the offence of proceeds of unlawful activity and money laundering against the defendants,” the judge ruled.
He further noted that although the anti-graft agency claimed its investigation was based on credible intelligence, it did not produce verifiable evidence to support the claim.
This ruling marks the second time the defendants have been discharged and acquitted in the high-profile corruption case.
The EFCC had re-arraigned Omatsuli, Momoh, Don Parker Properties Limited, and Building Associates Limited on May 19, 2025, accusing them of conspiracy, alleged N3.645bn fraud, and money laundering under the provisions of the Money Laundering Act.
The charges carried potential penalties of seven to 14 years’ imprisonment for individuals and possible revocation of licences for corporate entities if convicted.
Omatsuli’s legal battle dates back to 2018 when he was first arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
In 2020, the trial court upheld the defendants’ no-case submission and dismissed the charges.
However, the Court of Appeal later set aside that decision and ordered that the case continue to the defence stage.
During the renewed proceedings, the prosecution relied on testimonies from 16 witnesses and tendered 34 exhibits previously admitted in the earlier trial.
Despite the evidence presented, the court ultimately held that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
Consequently, the court discharged and acquitted all the defendants, bringing the prolonged N3.6bn fraud case involving the former NDDC official to an end.
