In a significant development, Justice Abubakar Kutigi of the FCT High Court today, March 28, dismissed all charges of fraud, bribery, and conspiracy filed against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Following a no-case submission by Adoke, Justice Kutigi ruled that the EFCC failed to substantiate its allegations of fraud, bribery, and money laundering, concluding that the defendant had no case to answer. Adoke was subsequently discharged and acquitted on all counts.
The court found the EFCC’s allegations of illegal tax waivers to Shell and Eni lacking corroboration from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or any other authority. Additionally, the court ruled that the EFCC did not provide sufficient evidence to support the alleged N300 million bribe given to Adoke by Aliyu Abubakar.
While the EFCC acknowledged its lack of evidence to oppose Adoke’s no-case application, it maintained that Rasky Gbinigie, also charged in the case, had a case to answer for alleged forgery of company documents.
The case against Adoke and Abubakar before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja remains ongoing, with Adoke having filed a no-case submission.
This trial, while not directly related to the OPL 245 transaction, carries similar charges related to alleged bribery in connection with the oil block’s sale to Shell and Eni by Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd in 2011.
Adoke continues to deny all allegations, awaiting the ruling from Justice Ekwo in the separate trial.
