EFCC Re-arraigns Ex-NDDC Boss, Omatsuli For Alleged N3.6 Billion Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Tuoyo Omatsuli, former Executive Director of Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), over alleged involvement in a ₦3.6 billion fraud.

Omatsuli was re-arraigned on Monday, May 20, 2025, before Justice Daniel Osiagor at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. He is standing trial alongside Francis Momoh, Don Parker Properties Limited, and Building Associates Limited on a 46-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

According to the EFCC, the defendants conspired between August 2014 and September 2015 to launder ₦3.645 billion, which was allegedly proceeds of corruption and illicit gratification.

The re-arraignment follows a December 2021 ruling by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, which overturned an earlier decision discharging Omatsuli and ordered that the case be retried.

The trial had previously stalled due to Omatsuli’s repeated absence from court, citing health issues. In February 2025, Justice Osiagor ordered the EFCC to investigate the credibility of the medical reports he submitted and warned that a bench warrant would be issued if they were found to be false.

At the latest hearing, the court granted the EFCC permission to adopt prior proceedings and evidence from the original trial to fast-track the case. The prosecution was also allowed to call new witnesses to support its claims.

The case has now resumed, with Omatsuli and his co-defendants required to face the fresh trial on the fraud allegations.