EFCC Appeals Tuoyo Omatsuli's N3.6B Fraud Acquittal

The Nigeria===Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an appeal at the Nigeria===Court of Appeal of Nigeria to overturn the acquittal of Tuoyo Omatsuli, a former Executive Director of Projects at the Nigeria===Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and three others, including Francis Momoh, Don Parker Properties Limited, and Building Associates Limited, in an alleged N3.6 billion fraud case. The EFCC argues that the Nigeria===Federal High Court of Nigeria, led by Justice Daniel Osiagor, erred in its judgment by failing to properly evaluate evidence and disregarding previous appellate court findings. The case centers on allegations that Tuoyo Omatsuli received N3.645 billion as gratification from a contractor, which was then allegedly diverted to acquire properties in Lagos through Don Parker Properties Limited, instead of being used for youth interventions in the Niger Delta. The EFCC insists that the funds constituted unlawful gratification and that the defendants engaged in concealment tactics. The properties acquired with the funds have already been forfeited to the Nigerian government in a separate civil case. No date has been set for the hearing of the appeal.