NEWS
Ex-NDDC Boss Faces Arrest Over N3.6bn Fraud Claims
In a significant legal development on January 31, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made an impassioned plea before Justice Daniel Osiagor at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The request sought the issuance of an arrest warrant for Tuoyo Omatsuli, a former Executive Director on Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Omatsuli is implicated in a high-profile trial concerning an alleged N3.6 billion fraud.
Initially facing trial alongside Francis Momoh, Don Parker Properties Limited, and Building Associates Limited, Tuoyo Omatsuli found himself entangled in charges of conspiracy and money laundering totaling N3,645,000,000 (Three Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-five Million Naira).
This legal saga unfolded before retired Justice Saliu Saidu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Engr Tuoyo Omatsuli, Don Parker Properties Limited, Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited, between August 2014 and September 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to disguise the illegal origin of N3,645,000,000 (Three Billion Six Hundred and Forty-Five Million Naira), being proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: corruption and gratification; and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering Act 2011 as amended by Act No 1 of 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
Another count reads: “That you, Engr Tuoyo Omatsuli, between August 2014 and September 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did procure Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited to use the total sum of N3,645,000,000 (Three Billion Six Hundred and Forty-Five Million Naira) paid by Starline Consultancy Services into the Diamond Bank Plc Account No. 0023785116 operated by Building Associate Ltd, when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: Corruption and Gratification; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering Act 2011 as amended by Act No 1 of 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
Pleading not guilty to the charges, the defendants, including Tuoyo Omatsuli, faced a legal twist after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented 16 prosecution witnesses.
Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, the defendants chose a strategic move by filing a no-case submission instead of presenting their defense. On October 12, 2020, this submission was heard.
In a pivotal ruling on November 11, 2020, Justice Saidu discharged the first defendant, Omatsuli, stating, “I have thoroughly examined the charges against the defendants and the testimony of all 16 prosecution witnesses. I find no grounds for the first defendant to proceed with the defense.”
In response to the discharge of the former NDCC boss, Tuoyo Omatsuli, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) expressed determination to challenge the decision. On April 13, 2022, a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, substantiated the EFCC’s appeal and overturned the trial court’s ruling.
Justice Festus Obande Ogbuinya, delivering the judgment, declared that the lower court’s decision on November 11, 2020, to discharge Omatsuli of the money laundering charges “is hereby set aside, and he shall enter into his defense accordingly on the same counts.”
While the Appellate Court discharged Omatsuli on counts 27, 28, and 29 of the charge, the trial underwent a transition with Justice Saidu retiring and Justice Osiagor taking over. During a recent court session, Norrison Quakers, SAN, counsel to the 2nd defendant, informed the court of Omatsuli’s absence, citing an ongoing appeal at the Supreme Court.
Quakers explained, “The first defendant is on appeal at the Supreme Court. A no-case submission filed by the 1st defendant before the Federal High Court was upheld, but EFCC appealed. The Appellate court reversed the decision, ordering the defendants to enter their defense. Dissatisfied, the 1st defendant appealed to the Supreme Court, and the matter is yet to be determined.”
During the court session, Norrison Quakers, SAN, stated that the 1st defendant, Omatsuli, was unaware of the recent hearing as he lacked legal representation during the last proceedings.
Responding, prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho clarified, “At the previous sitting in November 2023, a counsel appeared on behalf of the 1st defendant, and the court instructed us to choose a date for arraignment. Therefore, I didn’t request a bench warrant against the defendant.”
Iheanacho emphasized that, according to the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), there is no stay of proceedings due to an appeal. Citing S352 of the ACJA, he applied for a bench warrant against Omatsuli.
Ekele Iheanacho reinforced in court that, as per the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), there is no provision for a stay of proceedings due to an appeal.
Pointing to S352 of the ACJA, he asserted that the pendency of Omatsuli’s appeal does not hinder the proceedings at the Federal High Court. Consequently, Iheanacho applied for a bench warrant against Omatsuli.
Justice Osiagor disagreed with Iheanacho’s assertion that the 1st defendant was aware of the current hearing and consequently ordered that he be formally notified.
The case has been adjourned to March 22, 2024, for re-arraignment and trial.
Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday after a vehicle crashed into a gas dispensary outlet at Liberty Junction on Arab Road, triggering a fire.
According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was travelling from Arab Road towards Liberty Junction when it reportedly lost control following a brake failure.
The vehicle subsequently skidded off its lane, crossed the road and plunged into the gas station, resulting in a fire outbreak.
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The fire was quickly brought under control following a coordinated response by operatives of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The occupants of the vehicle were rescued unhurt by passers-by and witnesses who responded to the incident.
However, several makeshift shops adjoining the gas outlet were destroyed in the fire.
The prompt intervention of the emergency responders helped to curtail the spread of the fire and prevent further damage.
Financial expert Nnaemeka Onyeka Obiaraeri has defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi against comparisons with former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, citing what he described as differences in the financial records of the two states during their respective tenures.
Obiaraeri made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday while responding to comparisons involving the two former governors.
According to him, Akwa Ibom State, under Akpabio between 2007 and 2015, received an estimated ₦2.06 trillion, which he said was equivalent to about $15.5 billion at the time.
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He further claimed that the amount would be worth more than ₦21.7 trillion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri wrote: “AKWA IBOM STATE, UNDER GODSWILL AKPABIO, 2007 TO 2015…..
“Between 2007 and 2015, during the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Akwa Ibom State Government received an estimated total revenue of approximately ₦2.06 trillion/$15.5billion…..
“In today’s naira value, Akwa Ibom under Akpabio received over N21.7trillion.”
He also claimed that Akpabio left loan obligations of $334 million, which he put at about ₦467 billion.
Obiaraeri further alleged that there were multiple EFCC files concerning Akpabio, claiming that they documented financial misconduct during his tenure.
Turning to Anambra, Obiaraeri said the state received approximately $4.06 billion, or ₦525 billion, during Peter Obi’s tenure as governor from March 14, 2006, to March 14, 2014.
He wrote: “ANAMBRA STATE UNDER PETER OBI MARCH 14, 2006 TO MARCH 14, 2014
“Total funds and revenues received by Anambra state under Peter Obi was $4.06billion/N525billion.
“In today’s naira term is N5.4trillion.”
According to Obiaraeri, Peter Obi left behind $156 million in savings invested in an investment that generated more than $43 million, bringing the total to $199.8 million.
He added that the figure amounted to approximately ₦279 billion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri also claimed that more than ₦36 billion, which he equated to about $240 million, was held in Treasury Bills and other short-term naira investments.
He wrote: “However, Peter Obi left behind a total savings of $156million in an investment that yielded over $43m totaling $199.8m/N279billion in today’s naira money and over N36bn/$240m in treasury bills and other short term naira investments.”
Defending the former Anambra governor against allegations of corruption, Obiaraeri stated: “Peter Obi did not loot a kobo of Anambra monies. HE HAS NO EFCC OR FBI FILES OF CRIMINALITY ON HIM….”
He also compared Obi with other governors who served around the same period, “The Only Governor in the league of PO during his time was Raji Fashola …… Anyway, I am not surprised at some of you, who do this baseless comparison…The difference between LIGHT and Darkness is so clear to DECENT men, who love LIGHT….
“THOSE WHO ARE ROGUES, AND ASPIRING ROGUES, USUALLY LOVE DARKNESS….THEIR HEART IS DARKENED AND MIGRATE TOWARDS DARKNESS ALWAYS.”
He said ‘This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil’.”
He then directly addressed those comparing the two former governors, stating: “I PUT IT TO YOU, who is mischievously comparing Apostle Peter to YOUR BARABASSES, that you are EVIL…QED.”
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from the United Nations General Assembly, contrasting it with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s participation in the 81st UNGA.
Obi raised the question in a post on X on Sunday, while reacting to Mahama’s address at the global gathering.
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The former presidential candidate wrote: “The dynamic President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, delivered a remarkable address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The international community has commended his leadership and the substance of his address.
“It is a reminder of what leadership can produce when competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character come together in the service of a nation.”
Obi then drew attention to Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level, asking why Tinubu had not attended the global gathering.
He wrote:
“Against this background, many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people – more than Ghana – whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?
“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing the country and providing leadership for Africa at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings. Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges, both domestically and internationally?”
Obi acknowledged that Vice President Kashim Shettima was present at the UNGA but maintained that questions remained over the President’s absence.
He stated: “Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: Where is the President?
“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation.”
Obi ended the post with his familiar political message:
Tinubu did not attend the 81st UNGA, with Shettima representing Nigeria at the gathering.
The President’s absence marks his third consecutive non-attendance at the UN General Assembly after he also did not personally attend the 79th and 80th sessions.
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