• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
  • E-Book
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
  • E-Book
Home Anti-Corruption Court Clears Ex-President Jonathan’s Cousin of $40 Million Fraud, EFCC to Appeal
  • Anti-Corruption

Court Clears Ex-President Jonathan’s Cousin of $40 Million Fraud, EFCC to Appeal

By
Prnigeria
-
May 27, 2019

Court Clears Ex-President Jonathan’s Cousin of $40 Million Fraud, EFCC to Appeal

An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has discharged and acquitted former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Robert Azibaola, of $40 million laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Delivering judgement on Monday, the judge, Nnamdi Dimgba, held that no credible evidence was adduced to establish the offence of money laundering against Mr Azibaola.

He added that the prosecutor should have produced former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki as a witness. Mr Dasuki is in the custody of the State Security Service.

He noted the following:

“That the prosecutor failed to provide witness from the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA).

“That the EFCC and the prosecutor cried more than the bereaved.

“That the prosecutor has not been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the 2-count charge against the defendant.”

“The defendant is hereby discharged and acquainted and not guilty,” the judge ruled.

The EFCC had in 2016 filed a seven-count charge against Mr Azibaola, his wife, Stella, and their company, saying that they received $40 million worth of illicit contract from Mr Dasuki.

They were arraigned on June 7, 2016, and were admitted to bail in the sum of N500 million each.

Read Also:

  • The Forgotten Victims: Reclaiming the True Story of Boko Haram’s War on Muslims By Dr. Zanna Hassan
  • NAF Releases List of Shortlisted Candidates for DSSC 34/2025 Aptitude Test
  • NSCDC, Police Strengthen Collaboration to Enhance Security in FCT

They were re-arraigned on April 27, 2017, on a nine-count amended charge.
In the cause of the trial, the prosecution called 10 witnesses and tendered 27 documented evidence against the three parties and closed its case.

Subsequently, Mr Azibaola and One Plus company were ordered to open their defence on the remaining two counts, as Stella’s name was struck off the charge sheet.

He denied diverting money to his personal use.

On February 6, 2019, his defence team led by Chris Uche, closed its defence after calling two witnesses, including Mr Azibaola, and presenting several documents.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has described as unfortunate the acquittal of Robert Azibaola, a cousin to former president, Goodluck Jonathan, who was charged for $40 million fraud before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba.

The EFCC expresses concern that despite the weight of evidence brought before the Court and witnesses presented, Justice Dimgba held that, “the prosecution must show directly how the defendant took possession of funds and knew that it forms part of proceeds of corruption.”

The EFCC’s spokesperson, Tony Orilade said “Invariably, the Commission’s legal team will be studying the judgement thoroughly and will be taking necessary actions to appeal it as we hope that the appellate court shall view the merit of the prosecution and do justice to the case.:

By PRNigeria

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Court
  • efcc
  • Fraud
  • Robert Azibaola
Previous articlePinnacle DSO Facility, World Best, ICPC Witness Tells Court
Next articleCHILDRENS’ DAY: Oloriegbe Advocates Quality Education for Better Future
Prnigeria
Prnigeria
http://www.PRNigeria.com

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

ICPC, EFCC, CCB Partner on Commonwealth Anti-Corruption Research Initiative

ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN

ICPC Chairman Advocates Speed, Consistency in Handling Corruption Cases

Court Admits Samuel Aruwan’s Statement in ICPC’s Money Laundering Case Against Ex-El-Rufai Aide

NAHCON

Renewed Hope in Hajj Operations: NAHCON Records Milestone Achievements Under Tinubu Administration

Mohammed Idris Malagi, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation

FG Reaffirms Non-Interference in ICPC, EFCC Operations

ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

ASUU

Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences Kano Make-Up Artist for Naira Abuse

PRNigeria logo fearured image

EFCC Arraigns Ex-Convict, Other for Naira Abuse in Lagos

EFCC Arrests 37 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ilorin

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Recent Posts

  • The Forgotten Victims: Reclaiming the True Story of Boko Haram’s War on Muslims By Dr. Zanna Hassan
  • NAF Releases List of Shortlisted Candidates for DSSC 34/2025 Aptitude Test
  • NSCDC, Police Strengthen Collaboration to Enhance Security in FCT
  • Navy Appoints Commodore Odejobi as New Spokesman
  • FCT Police Raid Criminals Hideouts, Arrest 44 Suspects 
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
The Forgotten Victims: Reclaiming the True Story of Boko Haram’s War on Muslims By Dr. Zanna HassanNAF Releases List of Shortlisted Candidates for DSSC 34/2025 Aptitude TestNSCDC, Police Strengthen Collaboration to Enhance Security in FCTNavy Appoints Commodore Odejobi as New SpokesmanFCT Police Raid Criminals Hideouts, Arrest 44 Suspects Two Soldiers Killed as Troops Repel Terrorists’ Reprisal Attack After Eliminating Notorious Bandit LeaderNnamdi Kanu Opens Defence, Lists Wike, Buratai, Danjuma, Umahi, Others as WitnessesANALYSIS: 32 Years After, Coup Whispers Return to Nigerian BarracksASUU Suspends Two-Week Warning Strike JUST IN: ASUU Suspends 2-Week Warning Strike, Cites Progress in NegotiationsTroops Kill Notorious Bandit Abu A.K, Several Others in Zamfara OperationCDS Lauds Northern Monarchs’ Role in Intelligence, Conflict ResolutionStill on the Misleading Global Story About Nigeria's Insecurity, By Mukhtar Ya’u MadobiCelebrities, Brands Shine as Nigeria Digital PR Summit Clocks 10 Years of Ethical StorytellingCourt Dismisses Suspended NCAA Boss Suit Against ICPC
X whatsapp