By Abiola Olawale
The Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged and acquitted Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, a former Executive Director of Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is in a long-running ₦3.6 billion money laundering case.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Daniel Osiagor ruled that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to link the defendants to the alleged crimes.
The verdict marks the second time Omatsuli has been cleared in this specific matter, bringing an end to a legal battle that has spanned nearly eight years.
The New Diplomat reports that Omatsuli was standing trial alongside Francis Momoh and two corporate entities, Don Parker Properties Limited and Building Associates Limited.
They faced a 46-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, and the diversion of funds.
In his ruling, Justice Osiagor noted that the EFCC’s case lacked the necessary “probative value” to secure a conviction.
The court held that the prosecution could not establish that the defendants had proceeds from unlawful activities.
While the EFCC claimed the investigation was sparked by “credible intelligence,” Justice Osiagor pointed out that no formal petition or concrete evidence was presented to validate that claim.
Despite the prosecution calling 16 witnesses and presenting 34 exhibits, the court found their testimonies failed to prove the 46 counts beyond a reasonable doubt.
Recall that the legal odyssey for the former NDDC director began in 2018 when he was first arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu.
The trial court initially discharged Omatsuli after upholding a “no-case submission,” though his co-defendants were ordered to enter their defense.
The Court of Appeal overturned this decision, ordering a fresh trial for all parties involved.
The case resumed under Justice Osiagor, surviving several delays—including a probe into Omatsuli’s medical reports—before reaching final acquittal.
