The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja 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.
The judge, Nnamdi Dimgba, in the judgment on Monday, said that no credible evidence was adduced to establish the offense of money laundering against Mr. Azibaola.
He said: “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 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.
Azibaola and his wife Stella, were arraigned on June 7, 2016, and were admitted to bail in the sum of N500 million each.
On April 27, 2017, they were re-arraigned 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 defense 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 defense team led by Chris Uche, closed its defense after calling two witnesses, including Mr. Azibaola, and presenting several documents.
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