Appeal Court Confirms Conviction of Former NDDC Official

The Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, upheld the conviction of former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) official Alabh for asset non-disclosure. On Thursday, Justice Peter Obiorah dismissed Alabh's appeal, affirming the trial court's judgment delivered on May 20, 2022.

The court found that the prosecution had properly served the charge sheet and that the criminal charges were not an abuse of court process, despite a civil suit filed on the matter. Justice Obiorah stated that the prosecution proved that Alabh knowingly failed to disclose his interest in Ashford Consult Event Nigeria Limited on the asset declaration form submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Alabh, who was arraigned by the EFCC in 2017 on four counts related to money laundering and abuse of office, pleaded not guilty. The trial court convicted him on three counts of non-disclosure and sentenced him to two years in prison under Section 27(1)(3) of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, Alabh filed an appeal in September 2023, represented by counsel G.O. Agorondi.