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7 hours ago
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City Beats
September 17, 2025 by Our Reporter
- By Adebisi Onanuga, Kafilat Alabi and Moyinoluwa Oshunkeye
An Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday discharged the second defendant, Mrs Njide Ndili, in the $4.6 million alleged fraud case against theNdili couple and their companies Lionstone Offshore Services Limited and Lionstone Company by the Police.
Mrs Ndili is the Vice Chairman of Lionstone Company.
Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe struck out Mrs Njide Ndili from the charge following submissions by her counsel, Yinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN).
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During resumed hearing yesterday, Olumide-Fusika reminded the court that there was a pending motion dated April 4, this year before the court by his client brought pursuant under the rules of the court.
He said the application had not been abandoned and urged the court to hear it.
He said first prayer in the application has been overtaken by exigencies and events.
Olumide-Fusika said the second prayer sought an order terminating prosecution of the second defendant.
He prayed the court that the application be granted since there was no opposition to it by other parties in the matter.
He also asked that the third prayer be discontinued due to efflux of time.
He informed the court when the matter was brought before the court, the then prosecutor, Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon Lough (SAN) was no longer a police officer.
Citing relevant sections of the law, he argued “power of prosecution must only be vested in serving police officer who must be a legal officer.”
The new prosecutor, Yusuf Ali (SAN) and defence counsel, Ebun Shofunde did not oppose the application.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Abike-Fadipe granted the prayer of the defence counsel and struck out the second defendant from the charge.
Under further questioning by lead defence counsel, Shofunde, investigating officer, Inspector Friday Shaibu, stated that there was no recommendation that the second defendant be charged.
The witness confirmed that he was aware of the contract in respect of which payments were made to Lionstone Offshore Services Limited.
He described the contract as a bridging agreement between Hercules and Lionstone.
He however denied knowledge of any contract between or invoice in respect of services rendered by Lionstone to Addax.
He said this was because the Police only investigated the criminal aspect of the case.
He denied knowledge of invoices issued by Lionstone to Addax.
Police prosecutor, Yusuf Ali (SAN) reminded the court that the question of issue of invoices was thrashed out in the court proceedings of April 26.
The witness admitted knowledge of a document on enrolled order of a Federal High Court in respect of arbitration.
He however said he was not aware of a pending appeal on the decision of the Federal High Court before the Court of Appeal.
Justice Abike-Fadipe has adjourned the matter for continuation of trial today.
Amaechi Ndili, Njude (Chizoba) Ndili, and Lionstone Offshore Services are facing charges for allegedly conspiring to and dishonestly converting $4,666,234.28 meant for Hercules Offshore Nigeria Ltd.
They are charged with fraudulent conversion and failing to deliver the funds, which were received from Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited on behalf of Hercules Offshore Nigeria Limited.
The police claimed that Lionstone was engaged by Hercules as its local partner and to receive payments on its behalf in respect of contracts it executed for Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Ltd.
The couple and their company pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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