The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi has acquitted former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke, and six co-defendants accused of fraudulent activities related to the contentious Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 245, commonly known as the Malabu Oil deal.
Adoke, alongside businessman Aliyu Abubakar, Rasky Gbinigie, Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, Shell Nigeria Extra Deep Limited, and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited, faced charges concerning the alleged Malabu Oil scam.
In a ruling issued on Thursday, Justice Abubakar Kutigi upheld the no-case submissions presented by all defendants in the 40-count amended charge, identified as FCT/HC/CR/151/2020.
Justice Kutigi emphasized the prosecution’s failure to provide substantial evidence supporting the essential elements of the offenses alleged.
The judge criticized the drafting and prosecution of the charges, urging the prosecuting counsel to exercise caution in future filings.
Justice Kutigi asserted that continuing the case would unjustly burden the defendants, emphasizing that they should not have been subjected to trial on these charges initially.
Consequently, Justice Kutigi discharged all defendants, signaling the end of legal proceedings against them.
Further updates on the matter will follow shortly.