The Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, businessman Aliyu Abubakar and six companies of money laundering charges linked to the controversial OPL 245 oil deal.
Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered the judgment on Thursday, October 15, holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission failed to prove its allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
According to Premium Times, the judge also faulted the investigation preceding the prosecution, finding that it had not been concluded before the charge was filed. premiumtimesng.com
The case involved a 43-count charge filed in 2016. Alongside Malabu and Abubakar, the defendants included A-Group Construction Company Limited, Rocky Top Resources Limited, Mega Tech Engineering Limited, Novel Properties and Development Company Limited, Imperial Union Limited and Carlin International Nigeria Limited.
The judge said investigators were expected to demonstrate actual investigative work and present evidence supporting the allegations.
In its report published today, October 16, PUNCH said the court also considered a 2018 communication from the Attorney-General’s office advising against prosecution because of insufficient evidence.
The court ultimately acquitted all eight defendants on the allegations before it.
The judgment concludes this prosecution at the trial court. Its findings relate to the charges determined in these proceedings and should not be presented as resolving every dispute associated with OPL 245.
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