A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has discharged and acquitted a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, SAN, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on charges bordering on fraud, bribery and conspiracy.
Mr. Adoke is facing trial over an alleged role he played in the transfer of ownership of oil bloc OPL 245, regarded as one of the biggest in Africa.
He was charged before the court along with two others, Aliyu Abubakar, Rasky Gbinigie, as well as four companies, namely Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited.
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EFCC alleged that Mr. Adoke, who served as AGF during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, and the other defendants, were involved in fraud and bribery in the Malabu Oil bloc deal, to the tune of about $1.1billion.
Ruling on the matter on Thursday, Justice Kutugi held that no substantial evidence was placed before the court to warrant the ex-Minister to be compelled to enter his defence to the charge.
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