JUST IN: Court acquits ex-President Jonathan’s cousin over $40 million fraud

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.

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
presentinh several documents.

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