The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, May 19, 2025, re-arraigned a former Executive Director of Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges of money laundering amounting to N3.645 billion.
Omatsuli is being tried alongside Francis Momoh, Don Parker Properties Limited, and Building Associates Limited on an amended 46-count charge bordering on conspiracy and laundering proceeds of alleged unlawful activities between August 2014 and September 2015.
The re-arraignment follows a 2021 ruling by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, which overturned an earlier judgment by Justice Saliu Seidu that had discharged Omatsuli of wrongdoing while ordering the remaining defendants to enter their defence. The appellate court directed that the matter be returned to trial.
The case, delayed by the retirement of Justice Seidu in 2020, is now proceeding afresh before Justice Osiagor. To expedite the trial, the court ruled that earlier proceedings and exhibits admitted by the previous judge could be adopted, with no objection from the parties involved.
Following the defendants’ not-guilty pleas, EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), called the first prosecution witness, EFCC operative Usman Yusuf Adamu, who confirmed that 16 witnesses had testified and 34 exhibits marked ET01 to ET34 had been admitted in the previous trial.
Adamu noted that most of the witnesses resided outside Lagos, with some now overseas or untraceable. The court admitted the previous trial records and exhibits after an application by the prosecution, which the defence did not oppose.
Justice Osiagor also granted the EFCC’s request to adopt the testimony of the 13th prosecution witness and treat the exhibits as read. The defence requested time to prepare their case.
The matter was adjourned to July 2, 3, and 4, 2025, for the defendants to open their defence.
