The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has discharged and acquitted Lionstone Offshore Services Limited Managing Director Amaechi Ndili, his co-defendant Njide Chizoba Ndili and two companies over an alleged $4.66 million transaction.
The case arose from a claim involving Hercules Offshore Nigeria Limited.
The defendants had faced charges including conspiracy to steal, stealing by dishonest conversion and offences relating to funds allegedly held under direction.
Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe upheld the defendants’ no-case submission in a judgment delivered on September 16, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case requiring them to enter a defence.
A successful no-case submission means the court has concluded, after examining the prosecution’s evidence, that the evidence is insufficient to require the defendants to answer the charge.
The acquittal is significant for commercial-crime litigation, where disputes arising from contractual or business relationships sometimes develop into criminal complaints.
- Lagos Court Acquits Lionstone MD in $4.66m Case
READ MORE: LegalLinkz: Earlier Lionstone Case Report
SOURCE: The Guardian Nigeria
ALSO: Vanguard
