A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the money laundering charge filed against former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a judgment yesterday, Justice Inyang Ekwo upheld the no-case submission made by Adoke and partially allowed the one filed by his co-defendant, Aliyu Abubakar.
Justice Ekwo held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the ex-AGF to warrant his being called to enter his defence in respect of counts one to four of the 10-count charge, which relates to him.
Reacting to the judgment yesterday, Adoke said he had been vindicated by it, adding that he was weighing the option of suing the Nigerian state and all those who contributed to his ordeal.
Justice Ekwo’s evidence held that the evidence led by the prosecution was manifestly unreliable and did not prove the elements of the offences charged.
He proceeded to discharge and acquit the ex-AGF.
Adoke’s co-defendant, Aliyu Abubakar, was however not so lucky as Justice Ekwo found that the prosecution effectively established a prima facie case against him (Abubakar) about counts five, six, eight, and nine, of the charge.
The judge struck out counts one, seven, and 10 as they relate to Abubakar, a businessman with interests in real estate and petroleum.
Justice Ekwo then adjourned till April 22 for Abubakar to open his defence to the remaining counts.
