The Supreme Court has struck out an appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), effectively bringing to an end its attempt to overturn the acquittal of Dismass Alu Adoon, a former aide to ex-Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpolobokemi.
The panel of the apex court was led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, with Justices Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, Haruna Simon Tsammani, and Jamilu Yammama Tukur concurring with the decision.
In its ruling delivered on September 25, 2025, in Appeal No. SC/ML/29/2025, the Supreme Court struck out the EFCC’s motion after the prosecution formally withdrew it, holding that the case could not proceed any further.
The legal tussle originated at the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, which in 2019 convicted Adoon on multiple counts of conversion contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Amendment) Act.
He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N7 million fine per count.
Adoon challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.
In its unanimous judgment, the appellate court held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Chidi Nwaoma Uwa ruled that Section 15 of the Money Laundering Act is not a strict liability offence and therefore requires proof of knowledge or intent.
The court found that Adoon, who served merely as a personal assistant to the NIMASA Director-General, was responsible only for managing schedules, visitors, and itineraries.
He neither participated in meetings nor in tender processes or committee accounts.
Consequently, there was no evidence that he knew or ought to have known that the funds in question were unlawfully obtained.
Emphasising the principle that any doubt in a criminal trial must be resolved in favour of the accused, the appellate court set aside the trial court’s conviction and acquitted Adoon on all counts.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the EFCC approached the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the acquittal and reinstate the conviction.
However, following the withdrawal of its motion dated February 4, 2025, the Supreme Court struck out the appeal, thereby leaving the acquittal intact.
