Supreme court quashes Senator Nwaoboshi’s conviction on alleged N805m fraud by the EFCC
The Supreme court on Friday quashed the conviction and sentencing of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) to seven years imprisonment for offences of fraud and money laundering, ordering his immediate release from Ikoyi prisons in Lagos, where he is currently being held.
The court delivered judgment on the case with a split decision of four-to-one, setting aside the July 1, 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which had reversed his discharge and acquittal by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The appellate court equally freed the two companies – Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd, tried with Senator Nwaoboshi on a two-count charge, brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The apex court in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, equally upturned the appellate court’s decision against Senator Nwaoboshi’s companies, noting that the appellants were unjustly and maliciously prosecuted by the anti-graft agency for allegedly committing offences that were unknown to the law.
It faulted the EFCC for subjecting the ex-lawmaker and his companies to needless criminal trial, in relation to a civil transaction.
The EFCC accused Senator Nwaoboshi and his companies of illegally acquiring a property named Guinea House on Marine Road, in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million, property which belonged to the Delta State government.
According to the prosecution, part of the money paid for the property was transferred by Suiming Electrical Ltd. on behalf of Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd, adding that the funds were believed to be proceeds of their illicit activities.
