Non-Disclosure of Assets: Appeal Court Upholds Conviction of George Turnah

The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday, May 14, 2026 upheld the conviction of George Turnah Alabh, a former Special Assistant to the erstwhile Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Dan Abia.

At the Court of Appeal, Justice Peter C. Obiorah who read the lead judgment, dismissed Alabh’s appeal and affirmed the judgment of the trial court on the grounds that he was properly served the charge sheet and that the charge was not an abuse of court processes despite the filing of a civil suit on the same case by him.

Justice Obiorah further noted that the prosecution proved the counts against the defendant that he failed and neglected to disclose his interest in Ashford Consult and Events Nig. Limited on the asset and declaration form he filled at the EFCC office when he was arrested and investigated for the offences of money laundering and obtaining under false pretence.

Alabh was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 4 -count charge that bordering on money laundering, obtaining by false pretence, abuse of office amongst others sometime in 2017 at the Federal High Court presided by Justice A.T Mohammed where he pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him.

Count one of the charge reads: That you George Turnah Alabh on or about 15th March, 2017 at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, South/South Zonal Office, No, 6A Olumeni Street, Old GRA off Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court knowingly failed to make full disclosure of your assets to wit: your interest in one of the Director and majority shareholder of Ashford Consult and Events Nig. Ltd in the Asset Declaration Form you filled at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) & (3)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004.

The trial court on May 20, 2022 found Alabh guilty of counts 1 and 3 of the charges preferred against him and subsequently sentenced him to two years imprisonment on each count bordering on non – disclosure of assets and failure to make full disclosure of assets, offences contrary to Section 27(1) and (3)(a) of the EFCC Establishment Act of 2004 and punishable under the same Act.

The convict, dissatisfied with the decisions of the trial court, filed an appeal sometime in September 2023, through his counsel Dr. A.G.O Agorondi challenging the decision of the trial court.