Ex-lawmaker appeals conviction after acquittal on 10 of 11 charges

Abuja, Nigeria – Former lawmaker Onamusi Onadeko is appealing his conviction on a single charge of making inconsistent statements to investigators, following his acquittal on ten other counts related to alleged corruption and diversion of public funds. The decision by an FCT High Court in Abuja brings an end to an eight-year trial initiated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

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Our legal team is currently studying the full judgment and the ratio decidendi on the conviction. Consequently, we have received instructions to immediately file an appeal against the conviction on the count of making inconsistent statements.

Justice Chizoba Oji found Onadeko guilty on July 30 for making inconsistent statements during an ICPC investigation. The court sentenced him to nine months imprisonment with an option of a N50,000 fine. Onadeko's legal team, led by Wahab Olatoye, has stated they are studying the full judgment and have filed an appeal against the conviction.

The ICPC had charged Onadeko with corruption and diversion of public funds. However, the court discharged and acquitted him on ten counts after finding that the prosecution failed to substantiate the allegations. According to Olatoye, the court relied on the evidence of prosecution witnesses who testified that contracts in question were awarded in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act.

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After 8 years of trial, the curt discharged and acquitted Hon. Onamusi Onadeko on a 10-count charge out of an 11-count charge of corruption and diversion of public funds brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission [ICPC] since 2018.

The conviction on the eleventh count, concerning inconsistent statements, was delivered after an eight-year legal process. The ICPC spokesman, John Odey, noted that the court also established that legislative aides are public officers under the ICPC Act, citing a Supreme Court decision. Onadeko's team urged accurate reporting of the outcome and respect for due process.

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In delivering judgment, the court relied heavily on the evidence of PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW4. All the prosecution witnesses testified that the contracts in question were awarded in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act.