A former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has been cleared of money laundering charges by an Abuja Federal High Court.
Justice Inyang Ekwo upheld Adoke’s “no case” submission against the charges, stating that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to provide any evidence to prove the essential elements of the offence.
The charges were initially brought against Adoke and Abubakar Aliyu, a property developer, in 2017, with the EFCC alleging that Adoke had received a bribe from the sale of an oil block by Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd in 2011.
However, Justice Ekwo’s ruling discharged and acquitted Adoke, while ruling that Aliyu must open his defense as he has a case to answer.
The Abuja Federal High Court has delivered a verdict in the case of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, who was facing money laundering charges.
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Justice Inyang Ekwo upheld Adoke’s “no case” submission, stating that the EFCC failed to present any evidence to support the charges against him.
The charges were initially brought in 2017, with the EFCC accusing Adoke and a property developer, Abubakar Aliyu, of laundering approximately N300 million.
While the EFCC admitted that the money in question was a mortgage taken by Adoke from Unity Bank, they alleged that it was actually a bribe from the sale of an oil block by Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd in 2011.
However, Justice Ekwo’s ruling discharged and acquitted Adoke, while ordering Aliyu to open his defense as he has a case to answer.
