Grass-cutting fraud: EFCC promises to challenge the case rejection against Babachir Lawal and others

The 10-count corruption charge against Mr. Babachir Lawal, a former secretary to the Government of the Federation, was dismissed today, November 18, 2022, by Justice Charles Agbaza of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, has announced that it will appeal the decision.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, is bringing an amended 10-count charge against Lawal, his younger brother Hamidu Lawal, Suleiman Abubakar, and Apeh John Monday as well as two businesses, Rholavision Engineering (the fifth defendant) and Josmon Technologies (the sixth defendant), for fraud, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy totalling more than N544 million.

Justice Agbaza ruled on the defendants’ no-case motion today, concluding that the Commission had failed to prove the elements of the accused crime despite calling 11 witnesses during the trial.

He argued that neither Babachir Lawal’s membership in the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE), which awarded the contract, nor his membership in the Ministerial Tenders Board, which reviewed and approved the contested deal, was established by the Commission.

However, unsatisfied with the decision, the EFCC said on Friday that it will seek a copy of the judgment for immediate review and contest its legality before the appeal court.