The Supreme Court has ordered the release of embattled former senator, Peter Nwaoboshi.
Nwaoboshi is serving seven years jail term for offences bordering on fraud and money laundering.
In a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 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.
But the apex court on Friday overturned the conviction and sentence of Nwaoboshi and ordered his immediate release from the Ikoyi prison in Lagos, where he is currently being held.
In a lead judgment by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the court held that Nwaoboshi was subjected to a criminal trial with respect to civil transactions, needlessly.
The court averred that Nwaoboshi and his two companies – Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Limited were unjustly prosecuted by the EFCC.
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 on behalf of Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd, adding that the funds are believed to be proceeds of illicit activities