Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has been discharged and acquitted of all charges of money laundering by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The ruling came after Adoke’s successful “no case” submission.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused Adoke and property developer Abubakar Aliyu of money laundering amounting to N300 million in a case dating back to 2017.
Although this case did not mention the OPL 245 transaction, similar charges were brought against Adoke by the EFCC in 2020 before Justice Abubakar Kutigi of the FCT High Court.
Kutigi dismissed the charges on March 28, 2024, citing contradictions and criticizing the EFCC for wasting court time.
In his ruling, Justice toed the same path of judgement, stating that the EFCC failed to provide evidence to support the charges against Adoke.
Consequently, Adoke was discharged and acquitted.
However, the ruling stated that Abubakar Aliyu, the second defendant, must present a defense as he has a case to answer.
