Senator Peter Nwaoboshi
The Supreme Court has squashed the conviction and sentencing of Peter Nwaoboshi to seven years imprisonment over fraud and money laundering offences.
News Rider reports that the former Senator representing Delta North was convicted by the Court of Appeal in Lagos on a two-count charge of fraud and money laundering.
The suit was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering his judgement on Friday, Justice Emmanuel Agim of the Supreme Court ordered the immediate release of Nwaoboshi from Ikoyi prison in Lagos, where he is currently detained.
The court held that Nwaoboshi and his two companies – Golden Touch Construction Project Limited and Suiming Electrical Limited– were unjustly prosecuted by the EFCC.
Justice Agim said that Nwaoboshi was subjected to needless criminal trial in respect to civil transactions.
The apex court set aside the July 1, 2022, judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which had nullified his discharge and acquittal by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The 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 was said to belong to the Delta State Government.
They had claimed that part of the money paid for the property was transferred by Suiming Electrical Ltd and Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd on behalf of Nwaoboshi.
The anti-graft agency believed that the funds were proceeds of illicit activities.
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