Lagos-based businessman Michael Kelechi Nwaobasi has reaffirmed that he and his company, Kenten Table Water Nigeria Limited, were discharged and acquitted by the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, following a case involving allegations of drug-related offences and money laundering.
Nwaobasi restated the outcome in an affidavit sworn before a Notary Public of Nigeria in Satellite Town, Lagos, saying the document was required for official and record purposes.
The affidavit, dated 4 August 2026, relates to Charge No. FHC/UM/CR/143/2024, in which Nwaobasi and Kenten Table Water Nigeria Limited were defendants in a five-count amended charge filed on 21 November 2024.
The charges included allegations of conspiracy to possess hard drugs and money laundering.
Court Says Prosecution Failed to Establish a Prima Facie Case
According to the affidavit, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice K. O. Ogundare, discharged and acquitted Nwaobasi and his company on 29 May 2025.
The ruling followed a no-case submission by the defence, which challenged whether the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require the defendants to enter a defence.
The court upheld the submission, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against either defendant on all five counts.
In its decision, the court stated that the evidence presented was insufficient to establish the elements of the alleged offences or justify requiring the defendants to defend themselves against the charges.
Consequently, both Nwaobasi and Kenten Table Water Nigeria Limited were discharged and acquitted under Section 357 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
Affidavit Issued for Official Records
Nwaobasi said he swore the affidavit in good faith, affirming that the information contained in it was true to the best of his knowledge.
The court documents identify E. C. Onyema-Opara as counsel for the prosecution, while V. A. Ekwegh and O. E. Porbeni represented the defendants.
The affidavit serves to formally reaffirm the outcome of the proceedings and provide documentation of the court’s decision for official purposes.
The case highlights the importance of judicial scrutiny in criminal proceedings, particularly the requirement that the prosecution present sufficient evidence before a defendant can be called upon to enter a defence.
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