NDDC Executive Director in N3.6bn fraud case
By Andrew Orolua
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has approached the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, seeking a warrant for the arrest of Tuoyo Omatsuli, former Executive Director on Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The anti-graft agency aims to compel Omatsuli to attend his trial related to an alleged N3.6 billion fraud case involving money laundering.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that instead of presenting their defence, Omatsuli and co-defendants filed a no-case submission after 16 prosecution witnesses were called.
The agency closed its case, prompting the EFCC to seek a warrant for Omatsuli’s arrest to ensure his presence during the trial.
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Initially facing charges of conspiracy and money laundering before retired Justice Saliu Saidu, Omatsuli, Francis Momoh, Don Parker Properties Limited, and Building Associates Limited were accused of disguising the illegal origin of N3,645,000,000 between August 2014 and September 2015.
Oyewale highlighted the court proceedings, including the discharge of Omatsuli by Justice Saidu, an appeal by the EFCC, and the subsequent decision by the Court of Appeal on April 13, 2022, which set aside the earlier ruling and ordered Omatsuli to enter into his defense on the specified counts.
The statement concludes with information on Omatsuli’s absence from the recent court session due to a pending appeal before the Supreme Court.
