Ex NDDC Director, Tuoyo Omatsuli In Fraud Litigation Battle With EFCC

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Teusday heard that the contract leading to the trial of ex-Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Director, Tuoyo Omatsuli, was genuine.

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness Adamu Usman Yusuf stated this in Omatsuli’s trial for alleged N3.6billion fraud.

Omatsuli, Don Parker Properties Ltd, Francis Momoh and Building Associates Ltd are co-defendants for the alleged offence before Justice Saliu Saidu.

The defendants were first arraigned before Justice Saidu in November 2018 but were re-arraigned on Monday before the same judge on an amended 52-count charge.

The commission alleged that they conspired to disguise as the illegal origin of the N3.6bn “being proceeds of unlawful activity; to wit: corruption and gratification.”

In another count, it alleged that the N3.6bn was a bribe received by Omatsuli from Starline Consultancy Services Ltd, a firm engaged by the NDDC to help it recover its statutory three per cent annual budgets of oil and gas producing companies in the Niger Delta.

The defendants pleaded not guilty.

The EFCC called Adamu, its13th witness, to testify.

Adamu was cross-examined by Momoh’s counsel, Mr Norrison Quakers SAN.

Quakers showed the witness a letter from the NDDC to the EFCC and asked him to read therefrom.

The witness did and stated that the contract involved in the trial was genuine.

Omatsuli’s counsel, Prof Amuda Kannike SAN also asked the witness to read from documents sent to the EFCC by NDDC in relation to the contract that led to the charge.

Adamu complied.

He noted that the NDDC said in the documents, that the contract was genuine and not a proceed of crime or gratification.

“NDDC’s response to our request for the award of contract to Starline Consultancy Services Ltd, said that the contract was genuine.

“The House Committee on NDDC played a role by performing their oversight function in execution of the contract”, Adamu said.

Earlier, the witness was led in his evidence by EFCC counsel Ekene iheanacho.

He testified that N10billion service charge was three per cent derivation fee awarded to Starline Consultancy by the NDDC board of directors.

Adamu also told the court that Don Parker construction Ltd, a company belonging to Engineer Tuoyo Omatsuli  recieved N3.6bn to acquire properties within Lagos and Port Harcourt respectively.

Adamu said that the properties were acquired through Building Associate Properties Ltd and that they belonged to 3rd defendant Momoh.

Justice Saidu adjourned further trial till June 8, 9 and 10, 2020.