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.
The South-South Reawakening Group has opposed plans to align the proposed coastal road with the East-West Road, insisting that both projects should be constructed side by side.
The group’s convener, Joseph Ambakederimo, stated this during an interview on Arise TV on Sunday, arguing that the coastal road should be delivered as a separate infrastructure project rather than diverted to the existing East-West Road.
Ambakederimo said the coastal road had remained on the drawing board for many years and questioned why the project was now being considered for alignment with the East-West Road.
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“I posted on my LinkedIn handle when somebody posted the minister’s briefing. I said no. Mr. Minister, we want to see the coastal road side by side the East-West Road,” he said.
“We want to see that happen, not to do any alignment. Alignment of what? To where? We need that coastal road, and that road has been on the drawing board for so many years. So many, many years.”
He urged engineers to revisit their plans and address potential environmental challenges associated with constructing the road through the South-South region.
“I believe the feasibility of that road has been done. We know the processes of building roads, infrastructure all over the world. Pure and concrete feasibility would have been done. So let the engineers go back to the drawing board,” Ambakederimo said.
His comments come amid concerns over the proposed route of the coastal road and calls for the Federal Government to reconsider its approach to the project.
Ambakederimo maintained that the coastal road should be constructed alongside the East-West Road rather than aligned with it, stressing the importance of delivering the long-awaited infrastructure project to the South-South region.
The Nigeria Police Force has rescued an abducted farmer, Nafi’u Abubakar Sarki, as security operatives continue efforts to locate 10 other farmers abducted by armed bandits in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The rescue operation followed the abduction of 11 farmers at Kamfanin Madam Village, according to the police operational update issued on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
The police said tactical teams, working alongside local vigilantes, traced the escape route used by the suspected bandits in an effort to locate the victims.
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“Police Tactical Teams and local vigilantes successfully traced the escape route of armed bandits who abducted 11 farmers at Kamfanin Madam Village, Maru LGA,” the statement said.
It added that “one of the abducted victims, Nafi’u Abubakar Sarki, was safely rescued unharmed, while operations continue for the rescue of the remaining victims.”
The police identified the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Gusau as the unit investigating the incident.
Otunba Segun Showunmi, a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for 2027, has urged the South-East to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration based on verifiable projects and measurable results rather than political propaganda.
Showunmi made the call in a statement posted on X on Saturday, urging Nigerians to evaluate the government’s performance based on infrastructure delivery, funds committed to projects and their impact on communities.
He said federal infrastructure initiatives targeting the South-East under Tinubu’s administration deserved serious scrutiny and factual assessment, adding that unfulfilled promises should continue to be pursued until the expected results were delivered.
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“Our message is clear: We will not trade facts for propaganda, nor accountability for political loyalty!” he said.
The political figure challenged critics of the administration to provide evidence to support their claims, while urging those defending the government to present the projects and demonstrate their impact.
He also called on government officials to publish relevant figures, disclose project timelines and provide measurable results, insisting that no public official should be exempt from scrutiny.
According to Showunmi, the South-East deserves infrastructure that supports economic growth, including roads that connect markets, investments that create jobs and policies that expand economic opportunities.
He maintained that political representation must translate into tangible benefits for citizens, stressing that public office should deliver value to the people.
As part of his call to action, Showunmi urged Nigerians to scrutinise government records, challenge misinformation with evidence and demand the completion of outstanding projects.
He further called for public commitments to be matched by measurable delivery, arguing that leadership should be assessed by facts and results rather than political rhetoric.
Ending his statement with the slogan, “Asiwaju is a goal,” Showunmi called for accountability and greater inclusion of the South-East in Nigeria’s development.
Showunmi is associated with The Alternative and is a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.
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