Alleged Fraud: Supreme Court discharges, acquits Senator Nwaoboshi
The Supreme Court has set aside the conviction and sentencing to seven years imprisonment of Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi for offences of fraud and money laundering.
In a lead judgment by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court held that Nwaobishi and the two companies were unjustly and maliciously prosecuted by the EFCC for committing no offences known to the law, which subjected them to a needless criminal trial in relation to civil transactions.
The court set aside the July 1, 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which had reversed their discharge and acquittal by a Federal High Court in Lagos
The apex court, therefore, ordered his immediate release from Ikoyi prisons in Lagos, where he is currently being held.
The supreme court also freed the two companies – Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd – tried with him on a two-count charge brought against them by EFCC.
Recall that EFCC had accused Nwaoboshi and his companies of illegally acquiring a property named Guinea House on Marine Road, in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million, the property is said to belong to the Delta State Govt.
The anti-graft agency had claimed that 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 the funds are believed to be proceeds of their illicit activities.
Delta APC Reacts
In a swift response, the All Progressives Congress, APC in Delta State has showered praises on the Supreme Court for discharging and acquitting the immediate past senator representing Delta North, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi of all charges against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The APC described the apex court as not just the last bastion of hope for the common man but also for those who are truly innocent.
The Party in a statement signed by the State Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie while commending the Supreme Court for being an arbiter of truth and justice, expressed joy and gratitude to God for listening to the prayers of members in declaring the former senator innocent of the politically motivated and trumped up charges by the EFCC.
The State Chairman described Peter Nwaoboshi as a leader of men whose destiny has been tested by the crucibles of life and has been vindicated by the judgment of the Supreme Court today.
Quoting the words of Pastor John Maxwell, Elder Sobotie stated that “Natural leaders often need to be broken. Consider your natural ability to lead a gift from God, but your character is a gift to present back to God. Remember, every time you stand up under the weight of adversity, you are being prepared like, Jacob and Joseph were, to better serve God and lead people.”
The State Chairman took a swipe at those who had earlier mocked and made derogatory remarks at the plight of Nwaoboshi and reminded them that no man is God and no man, be he a Governor or not can ever be God.
He maintained that the leadership of the party had right from the very beginning had unshakeable faith and belief in the innocence of the former senator representing Delta North.
The State Chairman also expressed profound appreciation to the leaders of the party who stood firmly with Senator Peter Nwaoboshi during his ordeal, particularly the former deputy president of the Senate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, for his leadership role in ensuring that the party never abandoned the former senator throughout the trying times.
NAN/N.O
