The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), prayed Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos to issue a warrant of arrest to compel a former Executive Director on Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Tuoyo Omatsuli to attend his trial over an alleged N3.6bn fraud.
Omatsuli, alongside Francis Momoh, Don Parker Properties Limited and Building Associates Limited, were initially standing trial on an alleged case of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N3,645,000,000 (Three Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-five Million Naira) before retired Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC, after calling 16 prosecution witnesses, had closed its case against the defendants. However, rather than open their defence, the defendants filed a no-case submission, which saw the discharge of Omatsuli.
READ ALSO: Police To Clamp Down On Vehicles With Unapproved Tinted Glasses
The EFCC appealed the discharge of the former NDDC boss, and a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, upheld the appeal.
At the resumed sitting on Wednesday, counsel to the 2nd defendant, Norrison Quakers, SAN informed the court that Omatsuli was absent in court because he had an appeal pending before the Supreme Court. His non-appearance led to the prosecution seeking and obtaining a bench warrant against Omatsuli.
Leave feedback about this