The Supreme Court of Nigeria has struck out an appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), thereby bringing to a close its bid to overturn the acquittal of Dismass Adoon, a former aide to ex‑Director‑General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpolobokemi.
The apex court’s panel, presided over by Justice Mohammed Garba, with Justices Chioma Nwosu‑Iheme, Haruna Tsammani, and Jamilu Tukur concurring, delivered the ruling in Appeal No. SC/ML/29/2025.
The court struck out the EFCC’s motion after the prosecution formally withdrew it, holding that the matter could not proceed any further.
The case had its roots in a 2019 judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos, which 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 ₦7 million fine per count.
Adoon appealed to the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, which unanimously set aside the conviction. The appellate court held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Chidi Uwa clarified 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 merely served as a personal assistant to the NIMASA DG, was limited to managing schedules, visitors, and itineraries. He neither participated in financial meetings nor in procurement or committee accounts.
On that basis, the appellate court concluded that there was no evidence showing that Adoon knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the funds in question were proceeds of unlawful activity.
Dissatisfied, the EFCC escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking to reinstate the conviction. However, with the withdrawal of its motion, the apex court struck out the appeal, thereby affirming the acquittal and bringing the litigation to an end.
