Abubakar Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court, has dismissed and acquitted the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Mohammed Bello Adoke, of the charges of fraud, bribery and conspiracy brought against him by the federal government.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Adoke on alleged N300 million bribe said to have been given to Adoke.
This is expected to finally bring litigation over the OPL 245 saga to an end.
The court ruled that the EFCC did not provide any evidence to prove its case.
Ruling on the “no case” submission made by Adoke, Kutigi said the EFCC failed to prove its charges of fraud, bribery and money laundering and ruled that the defendant has no case to answer.
Consequently, he discharged and acquitted the former minister on all counts.
The judge said the allegation of illegal tax waivers granted to Shell and Eni was not collaborated by the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) or any authority in government.
Nigeria has now lost virtually all the cases it filed or joined in Italy, the UK and Nigeria.
The EFCC had earlier conceded that it did not have sufficient evidence to oppose the applications by Adoke.
Meanwhile, the court insisted that Rasky Gbinigie had a case to answer over the alleged forgery of company documents to remove the name of Mohammed Abacha as a director.
